Emporia was well-represented in El Dorado last week, winning three awards at the 2008 Kansas Downtown Symposium.
The Governor’s Awards of Excellence on Main Street “are given annually to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding commitments to downtown revitalization and development,” according to Kansas Secretary of Commerce David Kerr.
The award for Outstanding Design went to the Emporia Granada Theatre Alliance for the renovation of the theatre, which had its grand opening earlier this month.
“The design award was for projects costing $45,000 and up,” said Kayla Oney, Emporia Main Street executive director. “The award was for recognition of the entire restoration project.”
The Sweet Granada was recognized with an award for Outstanding Merchant.
“That award was for outstanding customer service, store appearance and convenient store hours,” Oney said. The Sweet Granada was recognized as Business of the Year by Emporia Main Street in June.
“The Sweet Granada was recognized by Kansas Main Street for their unique product selection, and it was noted that they are a true destination business and really exemplify what a niche business is for downtown,” Oney said.
Kim Redeker, who co-owns the Sweet Granada, was honored to be chosen for the award. “We were very surprised and honored for the award,” Redeker said. “It was a pretty exciting night, not just for the Sweet Granada but for Emporia.”
Redeker co-owns the business with her mother, Toni Bowling, and both were in El Dorado to accept the award.
“My mom and I went down for the dinner and the presentation,” Redeker said. “It was a really nice, enjoyable ceremony. We have a lot to be proud of here in the community. ... We’re proud of the fact that the Sweet Granada has become a destination business in town. It’s starting to bring outside visitors and business to downtown Emporia and we have grown — each year we are adding more staff and more jobs to downtown, and we’re just a pretty fun place.”
Casey Woods, manager of Madelynn’s, won the award for Volunteer of the Year. Woods served for nine years on the Emporia Main Street board of directors and also was chair of the Business Enhancement Committee, served on the Destination Business Council, and was expert in new technology affecting small businesses. Woods continues to be involved in every aspect of Main Street, according to the award nomination form.
“It was a surprise,” Woods said. “It’s an organization that does a lot of good, so I’m happy to donate my time and efforts to support local entrepreneurs and Emporia as a whole. It’s just something I really enjoy.”
“It was a good night for Emporia,” Redeker said. “It’s so good to see all the positive things happening in the downtown area.”
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