Ferndale DDA's Appreciation Awards Winners Presented to Council

The Ferndale presented its 2011 appreciation awards to Ferndale City Council Monday night. The award ceremony took place on Aug. 1 at and more than 60 business owners and volunteers were honored.

DDA volunteer Phil Riveria, before presenting the awards to Council, ran down some DDA statistics. He said:

• 40 new business opened up in 2010 for a net gain of 26, equalling 204 net new jobs.
•  In the first half of 2011, 13 new businesses have opened up or will open up in downtown Ferndale. There were also four expansions of prior businesses.
•  In 2010, there were 37 building rehabilitations in downtown Ferndale with nearly $8 million in public/private investment.

The "Best of" businesses were determined via a survey, volunteers were acknowledged for their efforts and many businesses were honored for marking landmark anniversaries.

...and the winners are...

Business awards:

• Best New Independent Retailer - and owner Jon Hughes.
• Best New Independent Service Business - and owner Michelle Lewis.
• Best New Independent Restaurant/Bar/Club - and owner Scott Moloney.
• Best Landscaping/Al Fresco Space - Rosie O'Grady's and owner Brian Kramer.
• Best Signage - and owner Janie deJaeghere.
• Best Window Display - and owner Ann St. Peter.

Volunteers:

• Volunteer of the Year - Phil Rivera
• Service Recognition Awards to -- Jenn Bourgeault, Annaka Norris, Veronica Lujic, Katie Rife and Chris Ramos.

Landmark Anniversaries:

• 5 and 10 years - , , , , and .
• 25 Years -
• 30 Years -
• 50 Years -
• 75 Years -

"Friends of Ferndale" Awards:

• Steve Selvaggio and the Western Market
• Larry Novak of Como's
• Dan Martin, President of the Ferndale Community Foundation
• Scott Moloney of Treat Dreams