Fourteenth Annual Arvada Business Appreciation Event
At this event fifteen business awards were presented based on significant community involvement, capital investment, increased employment, and overall commitment to the community. This year, a new award was introduced called the Manley Gray Distinguished Service Award for a business that epitomized extraordinary service to others. Hereford Percy, Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) Business Retention Chairman emceed the event. President, Steve Camins and Mayor Bob Frie presented the awards.
Mary VanDoozer of the Egg Shell Restaurant received the prestigious Lloyd J. King Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. The award was established in 1998 to annually honor an individual whose traits and character typified an exemplary entrepreneur. Under Mary’s leadership, the restaurant is known as a gathering place for meetings, fundraising activities, and community events.
Dr. John Sexton and his team at the Children’s Dental Center were the recipients of the Manley Gray Distinguished Service Award. This group reaches far beyond the borders of Arvada. Each year, the team packs up their equipment and travels to Romania and Uganda to give free dental care to children. Children’s Dental works with other dental professionals from across the nation and organizes the trips.
Outstanding Arvada Business Award recipients included Ace Hardware at Westwoods, located at 15530 West 64th Avenue, Unit G. The business was recognized for its significant capital investment in a new store in the Westwoods Shopping Center. When asked to describe their store, Tim MacDonnell said, “We really are the helpful place with good, friendly service. People leave knowing we’ve helped them. We have a great staff.”
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities consists of two business entities: 1) a performing arts, fine art, and education facility serving over 300,000 visitors every year and 2) a banquet and conference center. The businesses respectively have more than 600 paid employees/volunteers and 100 full-time/part-time employees. The Center is one of Arvada’s crown jewels in the community and continues to be a significant cultural business and community leader. The banquet facility is the metro wide venue of choice for premier events and activities. Both businesses were recognized for exceptional customer service, leadership, quality offerings, and their partnership in marketing Arvada’s business community.
Bella Bistro was former 1950’s gas station at 7702 Ralston Road and was transformed it into a beautiful, upscale dining establishment. It has quickly become an icon near Olde Town Arvada attracting customers from all over the metro area and beyond. The business has gained much notoriety in the media and prestigious publications drawing attention to Arvada. Shelly Steinhaus was recognized for her vision, personal commitment to quality, innovative renovation, and significant investment in the building that is now a landmark in the community.
Big 5 Sporting Goods #384 has a 53 year company history and chose to build a new retail store in the Arvada Ridge Shopping Center at 5185 Kipling Street. The business was recognized for its significant capital investment in its new store and for filling a retail gap in the area as identified by the neighborhood, as well as many baseball and soccer enthusiasts. The company became involved in community and youth sports activities, offering the store for league sign-ups.
Colorado Saddlery Company has been crafting custom saddles since 1945 and relocated to Arvada in 2006. Merchandise includes a full line of tack that is shipped all over the world. The company was recognized for drawing new shoppers to the area and bringing international recognition to Arvada through its marketing efforts. The company, which purchased the building at 5295 Vivian Street, brought new jobs and generated additional sales tax revenue for the community.
Dazzles by Dunn received the Home-Based Business of the Year Award. The self-taught, nationally-recognized artist, Sheri Dunn, is known for her generous nature in helping others with interior design, color selection, and teaching her craft to young would-be artists. She is an expert at “faux finishes” and has worked on renowned residential and significant commercial projects. Other prestigious projects include the cover of Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine, several public art displays, and a national golf tournament branding.
Enstrom’s Arvada Store literally rescued the former Stephany’s Chocolates and many of its employees. Located at 6770 West 52nd Avenue, the business draws new customers and recognition to Arvada through its marketing and promotional outreach. Enstrom’s was recognized for its investment in the business and community, the sales tax revenue produced, and its continued presence in Arvada– not to mention great chocolate!
Great Harvest Bread Company at 7745 Wadsworth Boulevard is known for baking everything from scratch each day including world class pastries, scones, and cookies. What is less known is that the business generously donates to many charities, fund-raising events, and non-profit organizations like area food banks. The business was recognized for its significant community support in Arvada and the surrounding area, oftentimes providing more than what was requested.
Indian Tree Pet Lodge completely transformed its 4 ½ acres at 9530 West 80th Avenue to include a state-of-the-art pet lodge and doggy day camp. The business also offers training, grooming, massage therapy, and much more. The owners, who also own Indian Tree Animal Hospital at 7778 Vance Drive, were recognized for their significant capital investment in the purchase and construction of the new facility which has greatly enhanced the area.
Kohl's Department Store #727 at 15680 West 64th Avenue has become a valued member of the Arvada community. This store provides a needed retail venue in northwest Arvada attracting customers from Arvada and nearby communities to the Westwoods Shopping Center. Perhaps more than that, the company’s significant investment in our community, sales tax generated, and continued outreach to support community efforts were reasons for acknowledgment.
Landon Enterprises Ltd. built its vision of three new two-story buildings in Olde Town Arvada that have drastically changed the landscape at the corner of Olde Wadsworth and Grandview Avenue. These new buildings have created a new energy in Olde Town and are attracting more quality businesses to the area. Landon was recognized for creating a legacy for future generations through its significant investment to construct the quality buildings and for its overall community support.
Randi’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant has served as a gathering place for family and friends, youth sport teams, special celebrations, receptions, and meetings since 1977. It is located at 12312 West 64th Avenue. The owners were awarded for the significant difference they have made in the lives of many young people hired, mentored, taught, and befriended over the past 30+ years. Randi’s Pizza has quietly shaped productive leaders and involved citizens in our community.
W.L. Contractors, Inc. purchased a former lumber yard building at 5920 Lamar Street and created a modern, state-of-the-art technology center that included an advanced training center for the traffic signal industry. The company also brought over 100 employees to the City of Arvada. W.L. Contractors services systems for 43rngovernment agencies and is currently deploying staff to Wyoming. The business was recognized for its significant investment and extraordinary building renovation.
