"Supporting local business" is something of a buzzword these days, but it's not empty rhetoric. Locally owned businesses contribute to the vitality and quality of life in greater Madison and Dane County in ways that the average consumer may not immediately realize.
The Isthmus Independent Business Awards, now in their fifth year, celebrate retailers, inventors, artists, scientists and others who show bold, innovative leadership and who give back to our community. Read about this year's 10 winners in the following profiles. Or attend the awards ceremony, which is a benefit for Dane Buy Local (Tuesday, Nov. 18, 5-8 p.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave.) For tickets, call 608-251-5627; stop by Isthmus at 101 King St.; or purchase them online.
Here are this year's recipients:
- Market Spark: Christine Ameigh of Let's Eat Out and Slide Food Cart
- Bridge Builder: Gary Kallas of Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
- Fresh Food Friend: Patrick DePula of Salvatore's Tomato Pies
- Creative Cuisine: Tory Miller of Sujeo, L'Etoile and Graze
- Neighborhood Notable: Sharon Kilfoy of Williamson Street Art Center
- Dynamic Developer: Joe Krupp of Prime Urban Properties
- Hometown Artist: Roseann Sheridan of Children's Theater of Madison
- Madison and Beyond: Randy Cortright of Virent
- Remarkable Retailer: Sandi Torkildson of A Room of One's Own
- Green Angel: John Hutchinson of Fontana Sports
The Isthmus Indies is sponsored by Monona State Bank and presented by Isthmus in cooperation with Dane Buy Local.
