Madison Main Street Announces 2021 Award Winners
June 14, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A capacity crowd turned out to celebrate the downtown business district on Wednesday, June 9, at the Red Bicycle Hall. Madison Main Street’s sixth annual Gala & Dessert Auction featured an awards ceremony, followed by the popular auction of 18 desserts created by Madison residents and business owners, which is a fundraiser for the non-profit organization.
“We were thrilled with the show of support for downtown,” said Randy Lakeman, Main Street board president. “The past year has been particularly difficult for small businesses. it’s great that people recognize how important Main Street businesses are to our local economy."
Mayor Bob Courtney, who gave brief remarks, noted that Madison is fortunate to be made up of long-time residents and relative newcomers.
“Both segments are vital to the community’s future,” Courtney said.
Four awards were presented in recognition of special accomplishments:
The Innovation Award—for a business that has opened, expanded, or added new products or services during the past two years—was presented to Ralph London. London is the owner of Betty Jeffries, a women’s apparel shop that opened in late 2018 and has expanded with a companion men’s shop, James Dell.
The Business Excellence Award is presented to a business that exemplifies excellent business practices. Hong Kong Kitchen received this year’s award. The long-time downtown restaurant not only collected donations and masks to serve people in need in China during the pandemic, but they continued to serve our community with their popular and efficient take-out business during the shut-down.
The Tribute Award is presented to an Individual or individuals who have gone “above and beyond” their regular job in service to Madison’s Main Street district. This award was presented posthumously to Judy George, long-time owner of the Attic, for her commitment to Main Street and the community. Madison Main Street announced the renaming of this award as the Judy George Tribute Award in her memory.
The Legacy Award, to a business that has been in Downtown Madison for at least 25 years, was presented to Rob Houze, owner of Crawdaddy Music. Crawdaddy is a destination business, drawing from many states throughout the country, as well as the Madison region. Houze is a trained professional musician whose band performs locally.
Main Street executive director Austin Sims said that, in addition to the four main awards, the organization was also able to recognize the new businesses opening during the past year during the pandemic. “Thanks to the strength and resilience of our existing businesses, people want to do business here,” Sims said. “And we are grateful for the support of the entire community in our efforts."
Madison was one of the first three original Main Street pilot communities in the United States in 1977. Madison Main Street is designated by Indiana Main Street as a nationally accredited community in the Main Street America Program. The local organization spearheads many projects that assist businesses and bring people downtown, including Music in the Park, Girls ’ Weekend, the Main Street Loft Tour, and many more.
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