St. Paul launches business awards program

March 25, 2017 at 3:57AM
St. Paul gave Tongue in Cheek, a restaurant on the city’s east side, the “New Kid on the Block Award” as part of the city’s first business awards program. Tongue in Cheek owners were photographed at the Payne Avenue restaurant in 2015. (DAVID JOLES/ STARTRIBUNE)djoles@startribune.com Tongue in Cheek Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in St. Paul, MN.**Chef Leonard Anderson, Ashleigh Newman, Ryan Husby,cq
St. Paul gave Tongue in Cheek, a restaurant on the city’s east side, the “New Kid on the Block Award” as part of the city’s first business awards program. Tongue in Cheek owners were photographed at the Payne Avenue restaurant in 2015. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The city of St. Paul celebrated its inaugural business awards program this week, an effort to recognize and build relationships with local business owners.

Some of those relationships have frayed as the city has instituted workplace regulations. City Council members have been trying to combat the idea that the city is difficult to work with through a new "Open for Business" initiative, launching the awards program as part of that effort.

"Part of building the strongest possible business climate in St. Paul is recognizing the amazing work already being done," said Council Member Rebecca Noecker.

Council members on Wednesday named the businesses that got awards in eight categories, including "large businesses excellence" for Securian Financial Group and "small business excellence," which went to Kamp's Food Market.

El Burrito Mercado was chosen as the business that showed excellence in almost all categories, and the restaurant Tongue in Cheek won the "New Kid on the Block" award.

Community members nominated businesses, and a committee of neighborhood and business association members chose the recipients.

about the writer

about the writer

Jessie Van Berkel

Reporter

Jessie Van Berkel is the Star Tribune’s social services reporter. She writes about Minnesota’s most vulnerable populations and the systems and policies that affect them. Topics she covers include disability services, mental health, addiction, poverty, elder care and child protection.

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