MOUNT VERNON – The COVID-19 pandemic may have changed the venue of Main Street Mount Vernon’s 2020 Annual Awards, but the process played out normally for the winners Tuesday night.
In videos posted to MSMV’s Facebook page, group leaders named three business-size category winners among a field of several competitors. Other awards recognized overall contributions to the community.
The nomination process began in March, an MSMV press release stated.
“With restrictions not lifted until early June, the Main Street Mount Vernon Board of Directors made the decision to shine a spotlight on the winning businesses through social media and in-person awards presentations,” the release said.
Small, midsize and large business winners
Though it may not be a business in the traditional sense, the City of Mount Vernon took the title of Large Business of the Year, beating out competitors Park National Bank and The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel. Herald’s Appliances & Electronics sponsored the award.
The Mid-sized and Small Business awards went to North Main Café and Scent Life Candle Bar, respectively. Runners-up in the Mid-sized category (sponsored by G.R. Smith Hardware) were William’s Flowers & Wine and Flappers Bar & Grille.
The list of small business nominees included Almost Famous Sweets & Sodas, Paragraphs Bookstore and The Makery. McDaniel CPA sponsored this award.
Overall community contribution
Three competitors earned recognition for what MSMV ranked as their positive impact on the city.
In the category of Nonprofit of the Year, a tight race pitted runners-up Food For The Hungry of Knox County, the YMCA of Mount Vernon and New Directions Shelter of Knox County against the eventual winner, the Knox County Area Development Foundation. Knox Community Hospital sponsored the award.
The Community Pride Award goes to the business that has contributed to the overall beauty and aesthetic of downtown Mount Vernon, the release said. This year’s winner was Mount Vernon Nazarene University, recognized for its addition to the South Main Plaza. The area features a fountain and sculptures of 24 breeds of dogs.
Two other contestants for this Griffin Insurance-sponsored award were the YMCA of Mount Vernon and The Ariel Foundation.
The Spirit of Heritage Award went to Dena Hess-Mckinstry. She was recognized for her “commitments of time and energy [that] made downtown successful during 2020,” MSMV said.
In-person presentation
One final award, the 2020 Walter Rudin Award, will not be known until Thursday, July 1, when officials will make the announcement at The Woodward Opera House in downtown Mount Vernon.
Park National Bank is sponsoring the Rudin Award to honor an individual for his or her long-term commitment to downtown Mount Vernon. It will also pay respect to their contributions to Main Street Mount Vernon.
“The Main Street Mount Vernon Board of Directors would like to congratulate all of the 2020 nominees and award winners for their hard work and dedication throughout 2020,” the release said.
