Main Street Delaware held its annual gala and awards show on April 12, honoring nine businesses and individuals for their outstanding commitment to preserving, protecting and promoting historic downtown Delaware in 2021.
Susie Bibler, executive director of Main Street Delaware, and Zach Price, the organization’s 2020 and 2021 president, welcomed gala attendees and shared insights from the group’s 2021 annual report.
“Thanks to you,” Price told the crowd, “we volunteered 3,020 hours in 2021 to help support events including the Downtown Party, Farmers Market, First Friday Celebrations, the Summer on Winter concert series and Home for the Christmas holiday community.
“We also worked with city, county and community leaders to consider a comprehensive plan for the city and one side is revitalized,” said Price, a TRIAD Architects partner. “We’re so excited about all we’ve achieved together and invigorated about all we’re going to achieve in the future.”
A highlight of the evening came when award recipient Frank Reinhard presented Bibler with a surprise $5,000 contribution from One Delaware to complete fundraising for Delaware’s new Welcome Center at Main Street, 20 E. William St. The center will be open to the public once renovations are complete. complete this spring or early summer.
At the awards ceremony, the following businesses and individuals were honored for their 2021 contributions to downtown Delaware:
• Company of the Year – The Oak & Brazen Wine Company for meeting all pandemic challenges with enthusiasm and innovation, including adding pick-up times and an online ordering system with home delivery.
• Business Beacon – Staas Brewing Company, Delaware’s first brewery since Prohibition, for its constant willingness to help and advise newcomers to microbrewing, including speaking at conferences sponsored by Heritage Ohio, which committed to supporting small business success.
• Business Innovator – Olivina Café & Bistro for his vision to transform from a retail space into a bistro as he strived to maintain and expand his customer base, including preparing delicious meals at the using its emblematic olive oils.
• Volunteer of the Year – Jorge Sanclemente for his volunteer work as a graphic designer for Main Street Delaware, creating all of the organization’s marketing materials and its eye-catching new logo, featuring the Delaware Welcome Center. Additionally, he was honored for his work on the Main Street Delaware Board of Directors, Board Committees and Events.
• Community Inspiration – The Wonder Within to fill a need in the community with yoga and meditation classes, including free online classes during the pandemic and an ongoing commitment to provide three free classes each month to all first responders emergency and to the military, active or veterans .
• Spirit of Main Street – Judy Domire for her long-standing commitment to the Delaware community, including her volunteer work with Main Street Delaware, Northwest Neighborhood, Delaware County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Kiwanis International, etc Often the first person to sign up as a volunteer, Domire also served on the Main Street board until 2021.
• Community Builder – Frank Reinhard, Regional President of First Citizens National Bank, for his strong support of Main Street Delaware and the new Delaware Welcome Center, and for his many years of community involvement with non-profit organizations and municipal agencies, including the Delaware Area Chamber of Commerce, Delaware County Fair, Delaware County Financial Authority, Delaware County Foundation, Rotary of Delaware, and One Delaware.
• Outstanding Leader – Zach Price for being a tireless advocate for historic preservation and his two years of service as Chairman of the Board of Main Street Delaware to help ensure continuity and success during the pandemic. Price also served on Main Street’s design and organizing committees, using his expertise as an architect to assist with the Delaware Strategic Vision Plan, the Winter Street Alley Project, and the Delaware Visitor Center.
• Best Public Building Rehabilitation – The City of Delaware for its thoughtful and creative renovation of historic City Hall, which includes friendly and welcoming spaces for community members, updated technology and new workspaces collaborative. Large murals also fill the new space in recognition of Delaware’s impressive history. Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle and City Manager Tom Homan accepted the award.
The annual Main Street Delaware Gala was held at the historic Strand Theater and featured the likes of many downtown dining establishments. The evening was presented with the sponsorship of the Byers Auto Group.
As she helped wrap up the evening’s presentations, Bibler told the crowd, “You all help make Delaware the wonderful community it is. You inspire our work every day with your civic spirit, your creativity and your commitment to improving your community and your world.
Main Street Delaware is a 501(c)(3) member-supported nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve and promote historic downtown Delaware. In addition to coordinating First Friday celebrations and downtown farmers markets, Main Street Delaware oversees the Home for the Holidays celebration and more. Main Street Delaware is an accredited Ohio Main Street community.
For more information, contact 740-362-6050 or [email protected] Learn more at www.mainstreetdelaware.com or www.facebook.com/MainStreetDelaware.
When he received Main Street Delaware’s Community Builder Award 2021, Frank Reinhard (center) surprised the crowd by announcing a $5,000 contribution from One Delaware to push Main Street above his $210,000 fundraising campaign $ to support the new Delaware Visitor Center.
Submitted by Main Street Delaware.
