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There are many downtown businesses working hard to improve not only their own business, but the larger downtown community. Every year, the Downtown BIZ recognizes these businesses with the Annual Downtown BIZ Achievement Awards. Four individuals who have contributed to the vitality of downtown are presented with awards at the Downtown BIZ Annual General Meeting in November. We hope you will join us this in celebrating downtown businesses and individuals who have demonstrated leadership, creativity and integrity in operating a successful business in downtown. Downtown BIZ Achievement Awards - Past Winners 2008 BIZ Aceivement Awards The Downtown BIZ celebrated five downtown businesses and individuals at the fourth annual Downtown BIZ Achievement Awards held at the BIZ’s Annual General Meeting on November 26. These individuals have demonstrated leadership, creativity and integrity in their contributions to downtown Winnipeg. They have worked hard to improve not only their own business, but the larger downtown community. They were selected from 47 nominations.  Outstanding Innovative New Business Blush Ultraclub Owner Sam Colosimo opened Blush Ultraclub on Portage Avenue across from the MTS Centre in 2007. Since then, he has expanded his venue and built a full patio wrapping around Hargrave onto Portage. Blush bills itself as Winnipeg’s largest, safest and most sophisticated nightclub. Sam’s vision was to create something that had never before been seen in Winnipeg. With over 19,000 square feet of space, Blush offers size and location second-to-none. Four bars, a huge dance floor, and a state of the art sound and lighting system have given them the ability to host great acts.  Outstanding Long-Term Commitment to Downtown Mitchell Fabrics Mitchell Fabrics has been an anchor on north Main Street since it opened in 1946. The store continues its long tradition of offering extensive, exceptional inventory, good pricing and excellent service. Mitchell Fabrics has expanded to over 22,000 square feet on two floors. The history and character of Mitchell Fabrics is reflected in the historic downtown building where generations of families continue to shop. Owner Paula Mitchell has been a vocal, long-time downtown advocate. She is a big supporter of the Main Street community, downtown projects, and the Downtown BIZ. In addition to countless other projects, she was also very involved in bringing the new Millennium Library project to fruition.  Outstanding Community Contribution Delta Winnipeg Hotel Delta Winnipeg has been a proud part of the downtown community for over 30 years. Recently, the hotel has been working hard to be environmentally responsible. They were recently awarded with a 4-Key Green Key Eco-Rating. With 250 employees, the hotel is proud to partner with its new national charity, Habitat for Humanity. Locally, Delta Winnipeg nurtures close relationships with Villa Rosa and Elizabeth Fry shelters, D’Arcy’s ARC, and David Livingston School, providing linens, toiletries, furniture, supplies, lost & found items, and pool parties for the school. Annual sponsorship and donations reach hundreds of events and fundraisers. It takes a strong and committed leader for a business to make this kind of impact in our community. Delta Winnipeg’s General Manager Helen Halliday is just such a leader. Helen is involved in many, many ways within Winnipeg’s tight-knit community. She was not able to join us today, but accepting in her place is Tara-Lee Andreas, Director of Sales & Marketing, who I know is also a wonderful volunteer.  Outstanding Entrepreneurial Spirit Richard Walls Richard has worked tirelessly in the north Main area for many years. He converted the Occidental Hotel into the Red Road Lodge, a safe place for people to just hang out. He developed the Edge Artist Village and Gallery as an urban revitalization strategy in response to a lack of affordable housing and facilities. The gallery hosts 20 to 30 art shows and community meetings a year. Richard believes the creative energy of the Edge Artists Village can be harnessed to help transform Main Street. Richard also launched the first Mainfesto event this summer, which drew people out into the community to enjoy entertainment and activities. Richard is a visionary, but also a man with huge love and appreciation for the human spirit. He has worked selflessly to build a centre and bring together a strong team of creative individuals who believe and share in his vision. Richard's hard work offers wonderful opportunities to those in our community who are overlooked.  Outstanding Downtown “Institution” Oscar’s Deli I’m sure everyone has that favourite little downtown restaurant or shop that you return to time and time again for your favourite sandwich or what-have-you. These local, one-of-a-kind small businesses distinguish our downtown and create a special character here. Oscar’s Deli has been serving up excellent food since 1982, and has earned a loyal following. The bright and spacious deli is a popular lunch spot and is packed with businesspeople on weekdays. They offer up a variety of quality deli meat sandwiches served on fresh rye bread, bagel sandwiches, salads and daily specials. Oscar’s has consistently high quality fare, with fast and friendly service. They stick to what they do best and they excel at what they do. This has made them a bona fide downtown “institution.” Congratulations! 2007 BIZ Achievement Awards “Downtown Young Entrepreneur of the Year” Michael Schafer, Sydney's Fine Dining “Best Contribution to Downtown Revitalization” Joe Paletta and Allan McLeod, Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Skyview “Best Long-term Entrepreneur Commitment to Downtown” Terry Sakiyama, Patal Vocational School / The Chocolate Shop “Best New Small Business” Julie Land, Cassiopeia's Bridal Boutique “Fastest Growing Business” Vu Luong and Yen Dao, L.A. Collection* 2006 BIZ Achievement Awards The Bright Future Award: Downtown Young Entrepreneur of the Year Hanh Pham, Moi Boutique The New Small Biz, Big Heart: Best New Small Business Award Heidi Werschler, Evolution Cafe Building on Momentum Award: Best Business Contributing to Downtown Revitalization City of Winnipeg for the Millennium Library Building on Momentum Award: Best Business Contributing to Downtown Revitalization CTV Winnipeg for the CTV Headquarters Speaking from Experience Award for the Best Long-term Entrepreneur Commitment to Downtown Rogers Communications 2005 BIZ Achievement Awards Bright Future Award: Downtown Young Entrepreneur of the Year Jeff Klause, CEO of NetSet Solutions Inc. Young entrepreneur business start-ups and expansions represent the future of downtown. Three years ago, at the age of 27, Jeff opened NetSet Solutions in downtown Winnipeg. NetSet now supports over 140 successful Manitoba companies, and is growing at a rate of 10 to 20 percent a month. Jeff is a proven business leader and is very involved in several community, business and technology groups New Small Biz, Big Heart: Best New Small Business Award Sean Sam, owner of Ambience Hair Studio Sean Sam opened Ambience, a full service salon, in April of this year with a unique idea to tackle downtown parking issues head-on. Catering to people who live and work downtown, he offers customers exclusive free car service to and from their salon appointments. Sean's next project is to open a fine dining Caribbean restaurant near his salon. Sean's commitment to providing stellar service is exactly what downtown needs more of. “Downtown is the heart of the city. I just like being where the pulse is at,” he says. Building on Momentum Award: Best Business Contributing to Downtown Revitalization Mark Chipman, Chairman, and Jim Ludlow, President & CEO of True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd. for the spectacular MTS Centre Looking back on the past year, there's no doubt the MTS Centre has had a profound impact on downtown. The one-millionth fan was recently crowned at a Manitoba Moose hockey game and the centre ranked as the 20th busiest entertainment venue in the world. MTS Centre's proponents saw the project through to the end, and provided Portage Avenue with a real jewel that regularly attracts large groups of people to come experience downtown-people who might not normally come downtown. Speaking from Experience Award for the Best Long-term Entrepreneur Commitment to Downtown Mario Potenza, Owner of Holiday Coiffures Hair Salon Mario started working at the salon in 1975, and purchased it four years later. Since then, he has single-handedly run this successful salon, which has been located in the convention centre from the start. He enjoys being located in the heart of downtown-something his loyal customers enjoy as well. Speaking from Experience Award for the Best Long-term Entrepreneur Commitment to Downtown Jack Levit, CEO of Lakeview Group of Companies Mr. Levit turned his focus to downtown Winnipeg early in his career, building Lakeview Square, connected by skywalk to the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The development linked a 17-storey Holiday Inn (now a Delta Hotel), three office buildings, and underground parking, two residential towers, as well as retail and restaurant space-including Ichi Ban Japanese Steakhouse-and the lovely Japanese Garden. Mr. Levit also developed Colony Square, with a seven storey office building and two residential towers. He developed several office buildings as well as York the Hotel (formerly the Sheraton). Mr. Levit also helped develop downtown's indoor skywalk system, which he began by linking Lakeview Square with the Winnipeg Convention Centre. He is now planning a 12-storey condo/hotel development for downtown Winnipeg which will be located at the corner of Edmonton and St. Mary. The property will complete a vital link in the Winnipeg skywalk system. |
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