MOUNT VERNON – Two downtown Mount Vernon businesses won statewide recognition from Heritage Ohio this week.
Half-Baked Café and Catering was named Main Street Business of the Year by the parent organization to Main Street Mount Vernon; and Woodward Opera House was named Historic Theater of the Year (tied with Holland Theater in Bellefontaine).
The annual Heritage Ohio award winners include people, businesses, places and organizations that make the biggest impact on revitalization and preservation in the state.
“The recognition, support and energy we receive from the community, we try to put right back out to Mount Vernon,” Chef Nav, who along with Rebecca Ajodhya owns Half-Baked, said in a press release issued by Main Street Mount Vernon.
“What does it really mean? We are going to have to step it up a notch.”
The oldest authentic 19th-century theater in America, the Woodward underwent a 20-year restoration process and re-opened to the public in 2019. It hosts a variety of cultural and private events and the building is home to a number of businesses and restaurants.
“What makes the Woodward special is that it’s a place where people can forget for a while," Executive Director Danny Gum said in the press statement. They can come and get away for a while. When we see people coming out of the theater smiling, singing; couples with their arms around each other, we know we’ve done our job. Winning the 2020 Historic Theater of the Year award means the world to The Woodward Opera House and to Mount Vernon as a community.”
Heritage Ohio is the state's official historic preservation organization and is the coordinating organization for Main Street Mount Vernon.
“Competition for the awards this year was tough," said Main Street Mount Vernon Downtown Manager Anthony McNeal. "COVID-19 has hit the small business community very hard, but at the same time these same businesses have been stepping up and adapting to changes."
Heritage Ohio will honor this year’s winners during a virtual ceremony with Gov. Mike DeWine presenting awards.
