The special meeting of the Saint Paul City Council to order a cup Just here. Johnson can. And gang. And cups present maker here. For PRESIDENT 3, absent those being council members seeing Johnson and Kim and they are excuse. Ishan. Oh, yes, sorry. Thank week. honoring the 2025 recipients of the Saint. Paul Business Wonderful. Well, welcome everyone to our special City Council meeting. I was just telling someone was walking down the hll it is really nice to be going to something that is truly all good news and all celebration we could use today and this time, sir. Thank you all so much for being here today. huge welcome to especially the winners guests of the 9th
annual Saint Pub Business Awards program, along with all your family and friends, we are at this recording of this meeting is going to be available on our website to anyone who's not able to join us in person today can see this momentous occasion for posterity on our website for ever forward. So just know that. We really want to commend the the winners this year and the nominees. We started this program 9 years ago because when those several of us have been campaigning that year and we had heard when we were talking to business owners, you know what? We don't need anything special, but we just want to feel like the city of Saint Paul, appreciate what we do. We want to feel recognized and we don't feel that. And the council came together and said, you know, how hard would it be to have a way of saying
formally thank you to all of the business owners who make our community great on a regular basis. And that's how the simple business awards came into being this year. We are once again recognizing 5 outstanding businesses in the following categories. Alex o'Brien Award the Good Neighbor Business Award. The new kid on the block aboard the People's Choice Award and the Traditions Award. And will say more about all of those as we move along in today's program. I just want to acknowledge that this would not happen without a team. The process starts with the business being nominated online by the public. After the nomination. The business is invited to apply for consideration for the award. The applications are then sorted and the reviewed by a selection committee that is
actually made up of past Business award winners. So those of you who are winning an award today just get ready. You might be asked to be part of the selection committee in the future. King. Forward And so I do want to please help me think those who are part of the selection committee this year. Happening warns of MR. Makeover cycles, bicycles, Joe Papp lack of urban Valor brewing company Kathy Sumburgh think a coffee house that can and then of De Pere Depot and Tom Schroder of Wilder and Fury that their health and commitment to supporting Saint Paul businesses. This recognition of these 5 winners would not b taking place today. It was anyone. Anyone in the audience right now someone who is on the selection committee. If so, could you stand? So we can recognize you. Let's recognize them anyway. Any other past winners of the
same help us a sort of happened to be in attendance today. This year we receive more than 94 nominations, which I think might be a record of which 22 businesses were eligible and the selection committee had the difficult task of making a decision. And we had an extremely diverse pool of businesses to consider. Finally, I want to thank my council colleagues and their legislative aides and executive assistants who helps promote the awards program, including the following. Business Review Council. The 17 district councils and business partners. The Office of Technology team led by Chase Maxwell Nick Nelson Eniko Curtis Library. Staff are linked and Hills George Latimer Sonterra Library Highland Park Library, Ray Street Library. Riverview Librarian Saint Anthony Park
Library. Mayor Melvin Carter and his staff, John Phillips, Peter Leggett and Jabari Knocks well from planning and economic development department. There could act. And mark and the men from the Department of Safety and Inspections and Council reeser staff sharing more calm, a Greg, leaner and And lastly, we could not have done it without our amazing business and communications in 10 this is a bill. I thank you so much. If you by. And we would also like to especially thank Matt Whelan, Dan. Aaron, Human of Clear Channel Outdoor who are once again supporting the Business awards program by showcasing this year's winners at 6 of their digital billboards throughout same. So the sides are millions of viewers at home who are watching this program right now. You can see yourself on those digital
billboards. So with the moment we've all been waiting please join me in inviting the council members from Wards. 1, 2, 3, 4, to say we didn't do that. That just was how it turned out. It doesn't always America like that to say. A few wrds about the winners, from their words. And we will start with councilmember for more 3 sergeants. We will all do the thing where we will go down here talk about our winner and then invite those folks up with us to take a picture and receive the award. Thank you so much. Council PRESIDENT Maker so many us are proud to be the council member that represents Ward 3. And I am presenting the Traditions Award this year, which I think I did the traditions Award last year to the Italian pie Shop. And Work site which is at 16, 70 Grand Avenue. And we're excited to have
Katie, why The owner here with us, the Traditions Award honors a business that's operated since APRIL for the last 20 years. For at least 20 years. Excuse me, the Italian pie shop has been cherished part of the community for decades making Ward 3 proud to have such a longstanding loved business in our District. Italian Pie Shop has built its legacy on classic recipes, warm hospitality and consistency. Family-owned in centered their restaurant has welcomed generations of Saint Paul residents through its stores. Whether it's a birthday dinner. Team celebration or a casual night out the Italian pie shop deeply committed to our community engagement and has
been such a reliable. Gathering place in Ward 3. They also frequently support local organizations. They host neighborhood events. They give back to schools and community groups to donations and partnerships and their dedication to service extends beyond pizza. It extends to the heart of Saint Paul. Whether you're a longtime fan of their signature deep dish or newcomer discovering their menu for the first time, the Italian pie shop in bodies, the charm and warmth that only decades of service can offer. Thank you to the Italian pie shop for your years of commitment to the city of Saint Paul. Congratulations here. Entire team for this. Well earned recognition. We wish you many, many more years of success. And Inow would like to welcome Katie to the podium to share a few words.
I thank you. Thank you, everyone. This really is something. I bought this restaurant from the best says Jimmy passed away and then Mr, Vesta. Retired. And then she shortly passed away after that. And then covid hit and made everybody nervous. But my staff is just amazing. I'm just so proud of everyone were in just the most phenomenal neighborhood or community. Is so wonderful were right in front of McAllister College in Saint Thomas is just up the street and I'm just so grateful to everyone. My staff, my customers, city, everything I just can't do it alone and I don't do it alone. Thank you so much. Congratulations. We'll take an official
photo with you both holding official proclamation read. You want to sit or you see it, you shouldn't like Yeah. Yeah. Beautiful. All right. And now welcome at council member for one cuddly. Good afternoon. Everyone want to say thank you so much for taking time out of your day to be here and council PRESIDENT Maker. You're so right. We do need the good news today. So I it will is Councilmember. Anita Blue has served in Ward one. I'm super excited and it gives me the greatest pleasure graduate life juices for being to selected as the 2025 People's Choice Award recipient. So let's give it up for life. To introduce the Co MISTER Cali also once owned by his better half Messily, a free man up to the podium as you
receive this award. This award honors a Saint Paul business known for its excellence, providing healthy options and beating the neighborhood. With this mission. It is easy to see why life Jesus was chosen for this award. Life of Jesus has earned citywide adoration through its bright, energizing menu and its commitment to wellness. There are fresh juices Smoothies, health Center offerings are crafted with care itention yet what truly sets life you for. The part is how they make every person. Bill, welcome value and appreciate it. If I was think of one word of how I feel when I go to life juices, it would be exhilarating. I feel exhilarated. I feel energized. I feel received in love there. Like uses mission rest on nourishment in community. Whether through wellness
partnerships, neighborhood events, our customer education, they have a focus on providing acessible and up lifting health resources. And they are really innovative. I don't know if you had a chance actually visit, but they're the first store that I ever seen to have a self-service kiosk. So full self service kiosk my only time seen it was the early outside the country. So they're very innovative and groundbreaking. One of the customers have mentioned that like juices is refreshing is a refreshing taste of wellness in an urban environment. Callie, the owner works hard to provide a variety of options on the menu and even
and doing urban ag alongside his just So there's a beautiful garden right on the side of you ever get a chance to drive over to Alexis, going university. His innovation is merging health food with fast food deserves to be applied. It like juices as a beloved anchor of Ward wine and continues to be a gathering point for customers seeking high quality health, conscious food and genuine hospitality. It's heartening to see your commitment to community wellness, your role in making Saint Paul such a vibrant city in a health-forward city. So congratulations on your incredible work. And you are just so much tied the mission now, when I think about your now, your leadership
entrepreneurship, but I think Paul, you have so many different titles. Dad, your affordable housing developer, you are, but better have you You are. And you just earned a new title that you are worthy of the People's Choice Award. Congratulations. Good afternoon. Council members. PRESIDENT Council just truly honored to receive this award. I it's our first piece of recognition from community. I think the reward lies in the community recognizing us for the work we've done. It's it's just year at a retail location. But we've been working on this vision injury 6, 7 years now. The mission has always been the same. We just wanted to kind of bridge the gat. For nutrition and accessibility. We me and my
fiance, Lee live behind the former dairy queen for 6 years and watched it go under. And it was just one of those things like somebody auto, you know, do something. I had no idea at the time with the U.S.. But proud of the result. It's just really our main thing is, you know folks have to leave the neighborhood. They they take their dollars with them. And we all know to have a vibrant ecosystem in the neighborhood and the community. The dollar's need to circulate. We wanted to provide. We just wanted to be the healthy option on the block. You know, when you look our neighborhoods, there's a lot of, you know, payday loans and check cashing places. Liquor stores, fast food
joints and you know, our intersection that we was I don't is is that same makeup of So we really just wanted to flip the script on the life. Juices wanted to. We took a former franchise building repurpose state, too, a neighborhood bar. And I think that's what community is kind of rally behind seeing that that healthy concept, representative retail, you know, I think development opportunities retail opportunity should reflect the demographics that make up the neighborhood. So we're excited, you know, to be able to provide that and I think it just goes to show that, you know, when resources are guided back into community community can can create things that wants to see the spaces and places it gave wants to see. And I think like juices condo, it is an example of that. So thank you for this award. We're super that just I just want to add, you know, one of the things that we are
really passionate about is helping. To bring the youth in and get them involved. So anything that we can do to give back to, you know, the eu that's around as we have little kids who come up every day. They're like, you know what, what are you guys doing here? And so giving them the opportunity to learn more about what we're doing and why we're doing it and helping them to see a perspective that they haven't seen. You know, hey, will charge you for that They just bought a dress. The stated income get something healthy that taste great, right? So just having having the ability to do that and to se the impact truly amazing. And then to to our staff because we cannot do it without them. Callie's hit as any convention does plenty busy.
But we have a great team who who is representative of everything that we do and really supports the mission and the values that we hold so grateful to them. I just love what you said. They're to do it and maybe that somebody is us, Let's be the change. Waiting It I my honor now to announce the Twenty-twenty 5 new Kid on the Block award. 2 loss. Owners Annie and Micro This is an incredible business that was recognized as a new establishment that is open in Saint Paul within the last 5 years. Honestly feels like it's been so much longer than that. So I can't even believe that you're still considered a new kid on the block. But that's because last fox has so
quickly become such anchor institution in downtown and Laura town. They bring a fresh creative presence to war. 2, they're known for their cozy atmosphere, thoughtful menu and artistic approach t hospitality. And they have quickly become a neighborhood favorite. Last fox truly embodies the spirit of innovation and community building that defines this award. Plus, fox was founded on the belief that shared food, good drinks and intentional space can bring people together with a beautifully curated environment, playful branding and the menu rooted in local and seasonal inspiration. Last fox has carved out a unique identity in Saint Paul's dining scene. What makes last stand out is its commitment to inclusivity, quality and creativity, whether it's their - community events, collaboration with local makers are hosting social gatherings, including endless
war, 2 community Thank you, Andy. They prioritize connection at every single step. A loyal patrons stated, quote, Last fox has been a lovely addition to the community. It's vibrant atmosphere and fun environment. Light at the lower town area. It's clear that last fox has already made a meaningful contribution to war 2 and the city of Saint Paul. Congratulations, Annie, and make your growth and on your sample, ordinance that you and your guests up to say few words. And it's my all us. He's actually very first employee making a when we came in. We wanted to open a space that. Group the community instead of making mark in community and having the community have to grow around us. And I think that that work well, because we're surrounded by large residential community
in lower town. And it's like a great place to be. So I feel honored. Thank you, everybody for It's a lot of work and it's a lot of every day we learn every day still from it and has only been 3 and a half years. And probably 20 years older than I was mixed area But we still do it every day. We so get up and wnt to do this every day. And so that is so having the support. One of our staff fish are staff is amazing. That is what makes that safe. Great. Working with the city has really worked to help benefit everybody around us. So having community space and things like that and so it's really honored to have like to be recognized for that. It's really pretty
amazing. And do like working there. I think, I love my job. My community and I don't know. I mean. Javon units for have mileage out of their hat. Can be really hardly transitioned into more like. Something else because just like everybody to space is just like great. And I've made like my long-term fiends or my co-workers and just like the space in the community that lower time has like I'm for Minneapolis. But I would say that same poll is like my second home, even though I only spent time in it when I'm really working, it's just like the people there just make it so much Thank you so much. Least we'll take Okay. A decal. If you notice. to
And don't go anywhere because there's a really exciting video not to mention refreshments after it. And hope will notice that the council PRESIDENT Said to give the next to because we do, I fact, have 2 words coming from or for today Very, very excited about. Who everybody I am so thrilled to be here to present the Alice o'Brien Award to kids and goddesses pie. And how to introduce Rachel Anderson, This award honors a woman owned business that is committed to equity and empowerment. Thank you. Goddesses pie was founded love for Kraft culture and community. They're refunds tradition with creativity, producing pies and pastries, 30 flex heritage storytelling and a
passion for uplifting others. Space is inviting intentional and grounded in care. But I love it. I can Goddesses pie is the commitment to empowering women, fostering community relationships and ensuring their workplaces, inclusive, supportive and growth oriented. Their nomination celebrated their quote, Every Pie feels like it, they didn't. History connection and pure love. With deep community ties. Delicious offerings and unwavering focus on equity Vikings and goddesses pies made a meaningful impact in Ward 4 and a crossing. Paul. Thank you. Buy things. And that's pie for your commitment to storytelling through food and your dedication community empowerment. Congratulations on this very well-deserved
recognition. Well, come up. If you want to say much. And the little like punch junk cause for middle of thanksgiving prices. A I was up to 02:00am cracking So I just want to thank the council for it. Giving this time to actually leave. To take a step back and Be able to sit with what we've actually built here in Saint My husband and I moved here over 10 years ago from New York City. With the sole purpose of wanting to start a business. And we really couldn't find a better home in Saint Paul. From te support that we've gotten to the star Grant so that Minnesota Department of we've just but we've been bootstrapping since day one. I started the business with $100 my account. And we're now over a million dollars ayear we employ over 12, 12 people now and one of the things, as as
was mentioned, is that we really focus on. I'm playing and providing sustainable employment for women and minorities in the community and our employees are a majority. Women majority non English speakers and the first people ever higher. Still with me and then the second ahead. Still with me today. So this really means a lot to because I was I graduated from with the gender women and sexuality studies degree. So that always has been rooted in my work that. That that poll of just empowering in advance and women and the space. So thank you so much for this war. Sorry to the entire sample community for taking away from making a surprise for things hopefully the work is going on The decal. The first rule.
And I us to do ever touch the microphones. So apologize for what I just did. Okay. I am now so excited to announce that Minnesota care partner routes while the center as we know them as is the 2025 Good Neighbor Award recipient and to welcome Under is to come accept this award. This award honors a business that shows the dedication to improving the community. On the Senate fully embodies that purpose through mental health support, culturally, grounded care and wrap-around services for individuals and families. Brits Wellness Center focuses on healing, empowerment and access. Their team provides trauma, informed care therapy, youth support and community-based resources that strengthen individuals. Uplifting families across the
city. They go for critical services. They create space for community gatherings, provide wellness workshops, host cultural events. And after off a sliding scale services to ensure that everyone has access to the care they deserve. Their nomination highlighted deep compassion and their commitment to meeting people where they are. Fruits, wellness centers. Impact is wide reaching. They provide culturally specific care advocate for community health equity and service to trust its base for connection support and healing. Thank you to route one, the center for your dedication to improving well-being and providing essential care in our community. Businesses like yours, like all of those here today makes Impala stronger, more compassionate place to
live. Congratulations on this very well-deserved honor. I know that Katie, to the states to say if you're worried about words about their work. I didn't know. I had a talk. I want to thank you all to the community. it's been very challenging this year. These are very challenging times with everything going on in our political climate, in our communities. There's a lot of fear. And so we probably provide culturally responsive trauma, informed mental health services addiction treatment, walk-in services for da's cop assessments. Advocacy pretrial navigation. We are watching alternate response to police and Ramsey County. We are interviewing for that right now and always looking to be especially in Ward 4, the
midway area to improve the space be a staple in the community for overall wellness, equity health, public safety at all is intertwined. And I'm very honored. I'm only one of 43 people and the organization and Saul. There's other people, I to to more But yeah, I just I think its eye again and just one person out of all of them. So thank you. And to the team for bringing their whole heart to the work. Let's get one more round of applause for all of our businesses work. And we've gotten the chance to hear a bit about each of our businesses. We've got a chance to hear from our wonderful business owners, but nothing like the annual business awards video to really tell the story. So with that, I'm in a qr voice activated video
playing program. And in case you're wondering that video will also be posted along with a video of today's presentation t the City Council's business awards website. And we encourage you to out like it shared on social media. Use it for your own purposes. Once again, congratulations to all of the winners of the Saint Paul Business Awards. We are so grateful for everything that you do and for choosing to do your business here in Saint Paul. And again, I want to thank the selection committee. I want to thank all of the winners in advance for being on the selection committee next year and to thank everyone who worked tirelessly to promote this award, nominated businesses who continue to support Saint Paul businesses. And once again, a
huge thank you to the nmd love was our unbelievable business words in turn this year would not have happened. So with that, we're going to take a vote on the resolution because we need to make this official. And then we invite everyone to join us for cookies, coffee, water and more photos and celebration in the hallway right after With that, I will move approval of the motion. Is there any discussion? Seeing none all in favor say aye. I opposed foreign favor not oppose. The resolution is adopted and we are think you also.