The special meeting of the St.

Paul City Council to Order.

Roll call, please.

Here.

Coleman.

Here.

Jost.

Here.

Johnson.

Kim.

And uh Yang and Celps Present Maker.

Here.

Four present, three absent, those being Council members Yang, Johnson, and Kim, and they are excused.

Do you read the presentation?

Oh, yes, sorry.

Thank you.

Um, do we have it?

What's the number?

Um, honoring the twenty twenty-five recipients of the St.

Paul Business Awards.

Wonderful.

Well, welcome everyone to our special St.

Paul City Council meeting.

I was just telling someone as I was walking down the hall that um it is really nice to be going to something that is truly all good news and all a celebration.

We could use it today and in this time.

So thank you all so much for being here today.

Um huge welcome to the especially the winners um and guests of the ninth annual St.

Paul Business Awards program, um, along with all of your family and friends.

Um, we are this recording of this meeting is going to be available on our website, so anyone who's not able to join us in person today can see this momentous occasion for posterity uh on our website forever forward, so just know that.

Um, we really want to commend the the winners this year and the nominees.

We uh started this program nine years ago because um when those several of us had been campaigning that year, and we had heard when we were talking to business owners, you know what, we don't need anything special, but we just want to feel like the City of St.

Paul appreciates what we do.

We want to feel recognized, and we don't feel that.

And um and the council came together and said, you know, how hard would it be to have a way of saying formally thank you to all of the business owners who make our community great on a regular basis.

And that's how the St.

Paul Business Awards um came into being.

This year we are once again recognizing five outstanding businesses in the following categories the Alice O'Brien Award, the Good Neighbor Business Award, the New Kid on the Block Award, the People's Choice Award, and the Traditions Award.

And we'll say more about all of those as we move along in today's program.

I just want to acknowledge that this would not happen without a team.

The process starts with the business being nominated online by the public.

After the nomination, the business is invited to apply for consideration for the award.

The applications are then sorted and they're reviewed by a selection committee that is actually made up of past business award winners.

So those of you who are winning an award today, just get ready.

You might be asked to be part of a selection committee in the future, paying it back forward, I'm not sure.

And so I do want to please help me thank those who are part of the selection committee this year.

Without their help and commitment to supporting St.

Paul businesses, this recognition of these five winners would not be taking place today.

So was anyone, anyone in the audience right now, someone who was on the selection committee?

If so, could you stand so we can recognize you?

Let's recognize them anyway.

Any other past winners of the St.

Paul Business Awards who happen to be in attendance today.

All right.

This year we received more than 94 nominations, which I think might be a record, of which 22 businesses were eligible.

Then the selection committee had the difficult task of making a decision, and we had an extremely diverse pool of businesses to consider.

Finally, I want to thank my council colleagues and their legislative aides and executive assistants who helped promote the awards program, including the following uh the Business Review Council, the 17 district councils and business partners, the Office of Technology team led by Chase Maxwell, Nick Nelson and Nico Curtis, Library staff from Arlington Hills Library, George Latimer Central Library, Highland Park Library, Rice Street Library, Riverview Library, and St.

Anthony Park Library, Mayor Melvin Carter and his staff, Joan Phillips, Peter Leggett, and Jabari Knox, Nick Wolf from Planning and Economic Development Department, Eric Kudak and Morgan Vieman from the Department of Safety and Inspections, and Council Research Staff, Sherry Moore, Rakal Naylor, Greg Wiener, and Nia Vang.

And lastly, we could not have done it without our amazing business and communications intern this year, Ms.

Abdullah.

Thank you so much.

Huge round of applause.

And we would also like to especially thank Matt Wheeland and Ari Newman of Clear Channel Outdoor, who are once again supporting the Business Awards program by showcasing this year's winners at six of their digital billboards throughout St.

Paul.

So besides our millions of viewers at home who are watching this program right now, you can see yourself on those digital billboards.

So with that, uh the moment we've all been waiting for.

But please join me in inviting the council members from Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 to say a few, we didn't do that, that just was how it turned out.

It doesn't, it's not always numeric like that.

Um to say a few words about the winners from their wards, and we will start with council member from Ward 3, Sarah Jost.

And we will all do a thing where we will go down here, uh, talk about our winner and then invite those folks up with us to take a picture and receive the award.

Thank you so much, uh, Council President Aker.

So my name is Sarah Joseph.

I'm proud to be the council member that represents Ward 3.

Um, and I am presenting the Traditions Award this year, which I think I did the Traditions Award last year too, um, to the Italian pie shop.

And we're excited, which is at 1670 Grand Avenue, and we're excited to have Katie Juan, the owner here with us.

Um, the Traditions Award honors a business that's operated in St.

Paul for the last 20 years.

For at least 20 years, excuse me.

The Italian Pie Shop has been a cherished part of the community for decades, making Ward 3 proud to have such a long-standing beloved business in our district.

The Italian Pie Shop has built its legacy on classic recipes, warm hospitality, and consistency.

Family-owned and centered, their restaurant has welcomed generations of St.

Paul residents through its doors.

Whether it's a birthday dinner, a team celebration, or a casual night out, the Italian pie shop is deeply committed to our community engagement and has been such a reliable gathering place in Ward 3.

They also frequently support local organizations, they host neighborhood events, they give back to schools and community groups through donations and partnerships, and their dedication to service extends beyond pizza.

It extends to the heart of St.

Paul.

Whether you're a longtime fan of their signature deep dish or a newcomer discovering their menu for the first time, the Italian Pie Shop embodies the charm and warmth that only decades of service can offer.

Thank you to the Italian Pie Shop for your years of commitment to the city of St.

Paul.

Congratulations to your entire team for this well-earned recognition.

We wish you many, many more years of success.

And I now would like to welcome Katie to the podium to share a few words.

Wait, you're so okay.

Okay, Katie.

Hi, thank you.

Thank you, everyone.

This really is something.

Um I bought this restaurant from the Bastas when Jimmy passed away, and then when Mr.

Basta retired, and then he shortly passed away after that, and then COVID hit and made everybody nervous.

But my staff is just amazing.

I'm just so proud of everyone.

We're in just the most phenomenal neighborhood.

Our community is so wonderful.

We're right in front of McAllister College and St.

Thomas is just up the street.

And I'm just so grateful to everyone, my staff, my customers, the city, everything.

I just can't do it alone, and I don't do it alone.

Thank you so much.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

I think we'll take an official photo with you both holding the official proclamation.

Where do you want us to go right here?

Okay, perfect.

So yeah, and you should definitely get it.

Okay, yeah.

Yes.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Perfect.

Beautiful.

Awesome.

Thank you so much.

All right.

And now we'll welcome up uh councilmember for Ward 1, Anika Bowie.

Good afternoon, everyone.

I just want to say thank you so much for taking time out of your day to be here in Council President Ager.

You're so right.

We do need the good news today.

So I am well, my name is Councilmember Anika Bowie.

I serve in Ward One.

Um, I am super excited, and it gives me the greatest pleasure to congratulate Life Juices for being selected.

Excuse me, being selected as the 2025 People's Choice Award recipient.

So let's give it up for Life Juices.

And as I uh go to introduce the CEO, uh Mr.

Callie Terry, I also want to invite his better half, Miss Aliyah Freeman, up to the podium as you receive this award.

Uh this award honors a St.

Paul business known for its excellence, providing healthy options and feeding the neighborhood.

With this mission, it is easy to see why Life Juices was chosen for this award.

Life Juices has earned citywide admiration through its bright, energizing menu and its commitment to wellness.

There are fresh juices, smoothies, and health-centered offerings are crafted with care and intention.

Yet, what truly sets life juice at the part is how they make every person feel welcomed, valued, and appreciated.

If I was to think of one word of how I feel when I go to Life Juices, it would be exhilarating.

I feel exhilarated.

I feel energized, I feel received and loved there.

Life Juices mission rests on nourishment and community, whether through wellness partnerships, neighborhood events, or customer education, they have a focus on providing accessible and uplifting health resources.

And they are really innovative.

I don't know if you had a chance to actually visit, but they are the first store that I ever seen that has a self-service kiosk.

So full self-service kiosk.

My only time seeing it was literally outside of the country.

So they are very innovative and groundbreaking.

One of the customers have mentioned that Life Juices is refreshing, is a refreshing taste of wellness in an urban environment.

Callie, the owner works hard to provide a variety of options on the menu and even in doing urban ag alongside his juice bar.

So there's a beautiful garden right on the side if you ever get a chance to drive over to Lexington University.

His innovation is merging health food with fast food deserves to be applauded.

Life Juices is a beloved anchor of Ward 1 and continues to be a gathering point for customers seeking high quality, health conscious food, and genuine hospitality.

It's heartening to see your commitment to community wellness and your role in making St.

Paul such a vibrant city in a health forward city.

So congratulations on your incredible work.

And you are just so multi-dimensional.

When I think about your not only your leadership and your entrepreneurship, but I think how you have so many different titles.

You are a dad, you're affordable housing developer, you are a butter better half, you are an entrepreneur, and you just earned a new title that you are awardee of the People's Choice Award.

So congratulations.

Congratulations.

Welcome up.

Good afternoon, Council members.

President Council, Noeker.

I'm just truly honored to receive this award.

It's our first piece of recognition from community.

I think the reward lies in the community recognizing us for the work we've done.

But we've been working on this vision and dream uh for almost six, seven years now.

Um, and the mission has always been the same.

Uh, we just wanted to kind of bridge the gap uh for nutrition and accessibility.

Um we've lived, uh, me and my fiance Aliah lived behind the former Dairy Queen for six years and watched it go under.

Um and it was just one of those things of like somebody ought to, you know, do something.

I had no idea at the time it would be us.

Um but uh proud of the results.

Um and it's just really our main thing is you know, when folks have to leave the neighborhood, they they take their dollars with them, and we all know to have a vibrant ecosystem uh in the neighborhood in the community.

Um the dollars need to circulate.

We wanted to provide.

Uh we just wanted to be the healthy option on the block.

You know, when you look at um our neighborhoods, uh, there's a lot of you know, payday loans and check caching places, liquor stores, uh, fast food joints, and um, you know, our intersection that we reside on is is that same makeup of retail.

Um, so we really just wanted to flip the script.

Um, and life juices wanted to, we took a former franchise building, repurposed it to um a neighborhood juice bar, and I think that's what community is kind of rallied behind, um, seeing that that healthy concept, uh, representative retail, you know.

Um, I think uh the the development opportunities and and retail opportunities should reflect the demographics that make up the neighborhood.

Um so we're excited, you know, to be able to provide that.

Um and I think it just goes to show that you know when resources are guided back into community, uh, community can create the the things it wants to see, um the spaces and places it it wants to see.

And I think uh life juice is kind of uh is an example of that.

So thank you uh for this award.

Um we're super excited.

And I just I just want to add, you know, one of the things that we are really passionate about is helping to bring the youth in and get them involved.

So anything that we can do to give back to you know the the youth that's around us.

We have little kids who come up every day, they're like, you know, what what are you guys doing here?

And so giving them the opportunity to learn more about what we're doing and why we're doing it and helping them to see a perspective that they haven't seen.

You know, hey, we'll trade you for that that Gatorade that you just brought across the street and come get something healthy that tastes great, right?

So um just having having the ability to do that and to see the impact is is truly uh amazing.

And then to to our staff because we cannot do it without them.

Kylie's as Anika mentioned, is plenty busy, but um we have a great team who who is representative of everything that we do and really supports the mission and the values that that we hold.

So grateful to them.

Sorry.

Which way is it?

Oh my gosh, so much adjusting support that yeah.

Perfect.

All right, home a round of applause.

I just love what you said there.

Somebody ought to do it, and maybe that somebody is us, right?

Let's be the change we're waiting for.

Um it is my honor now to announce the 2025 New Kid on the Block award to Lost Fox owners Annie and Mike Rose.

This is an incredible business that was recognized as a new establishment that has opened in St.

Paul within the last five years.

It it honestly feels like it's been so much longer than that.

So I can't even believe that you're still considered a new kid on the block.

Um, but that's because Last Box has so quickly become such an anchor institution in downtown and in Lower Town.

They bring a fresh creative presence to Ward 2.

They're known for their cozy atmosphere, thoughtful menu, and artistic approach to hospitality, and they have quickly become a neighborhood favorite.

Last Fox truly embodies the spirit of innovation and community building that defines this award.

Lost Fox was founded on the belief that shared food, good drinks, and intentional space can bring people together with a beautifully curated environment, playful branding, and a menu rooted in local and seasonal inspiration.

Lost Fox has carved out a unique identity in St.

Paul's dining scene.

What makes Lost Fox stand out is its commitment to inclusivity, quality, and creativity.

Whether it's through community events, collaborations with local makers or hosting social gatherings, including endless Ward 2 community events.

Thank you, Annie.

Um, they prioritize connection at every single step.

A loyal patron stated, quote, Lost Fox has been a lovely addition to the community.

Its vibrant atmosphere and fun environment light up the lower town area.

It's clear that Lost Fox has already made a meaningful contribution to Ward 2 and the City of St.

Paul.

Congratulations, Annie and Mike, on your growth and on your St.

Paul Business Award, and I invite you and your guests up to say a few words.

Hi, thank you.

Thank you.

This is my daughter Mala.

She was actually our very first employee.

Um Mike and I, when we came in, we wanted to open a space that grew with the community instead of making its mark in a community and having the community have grow around us.

And I think that that worked well because we are surrounded by a large residential community in Lower Town, and it's like a great place to be.

So I feel honored.

Thank you, everybody, for this.

Um it's a lot of work and it's a lot of everyday, and we learn every day still from it.

And it has only been three and a half years.

I'm probably 20 years older than I was when I started those.

Um, but we still do it every day.

We still get up and want to do this every day, and so that is um so having the support.

One of our staff, I should mention our staff is amazing.

That is what makes that place great.

Working with the city has really worked to help benefit everybody around us.

Um, so having community space and things like that.

Um, I just feel really honored to have like to be recognized for that.

It's really pretty amazing.

And I don't know.

Do you like working there?

I think we love my job in my community, and I don't know.

I mean, yeah, I've been doing this for three and a half years is my only job I've ever had, and I it's gonna be really hard to like transition into more of like something else because just like everybody, the space is just like great, and I've made all of like my long-term friends or my coworkers, and just like this space in the community that Lowertown has.

Like I'm from Minneapolis, but I would say that St.

Paul is like my second home.

Even though I only spend time in it when I'm really working, it's just like the people there just make it so much better.

So thank you so much.

Congratulations.

Let's take a picture.

Okay.

This is your teacher.

Yeah, everyone gets a decal if you notice that.

Okay.

One, two, three.

Oh, the deco.

And now I am uh pleased to welcome the board for our council member, Molly Holman.

And don't go anywhere because there's a really exciting video, not to mention refreshments afterwards.

I hope you'll all notice that the council president said to give the next two awards, because we do in fact have two awards coming from Ward 4 today, which we are very, very excited about.

Hello, everybody.

I am so thrilled to be here to present the Alice O'Brien Award to Vikings and Goddesses Pi.

Um, and I am proud to introduce Rachel Anderson, their owner.

This award honors a woman-owned business that is committed to equity and empowerment.

Vikings and Goddesses Pi was founded on a love for craft, culture, and community.

Their bakery blends tradition with creativity, producing pies and pastries that reflect heritage, storytelling, and a passion for uplifting others.

Their space is inviting, intentional, and grounded in care.

What elevates Vikings and Goddesses Pi is their commitment to empowering women, fostering community relationships, and ensuring their workplace is inclusive, supportive, and growth oriented.

Their nomination celebrated their warmth.

Quote Every Pie feels like a gift rooted in history, connection, and pure love.

With deep community ties, delicious offerings, and an unwavering focus on equity, Vikings and Goddesses Pi has made a meaningful impact in Ward 4 and across St.

Paul.

Thank you, Vikings and Goddesses Pi for your commitment to storytelling through food and your dedication to community empowerment.

Congratulations on this very well deserved recognition.

Congratulations.

Welcome up if you want to say a few words.

Hi, I'm a little like punch drunk because we're in the middle of Thanksgiving pie season.

I was up till 2 a.m.

cracking eggs.

So I just want to thank the council for giving me this time to actually leave as well to take a step back and actually be able to sit with what we've actually built here in St.

Paul.

My husband and I moved here over 10 years ago from New York City with the sole purpose of wanting to start a business.

And we really couldn't have found a better home than St.

Paul.

From the support that we've gotten through the STAR grants through the Minnesota Department of Ag.

We've just been able, we've been bootstrapping since day one.

I started the business with $100 in my account, and we're now over a million dollars a year.

And we employ over 12 people now.

And one of the things is as was mentioned is that we really focus on employing and providing sustainable employment for women and minorities in the community.

And our employees are a majority women, majority non-English speakers, and the first three people I ever hired are still with me today.

And then the second four people that I hired are still with me today.

So this really means a lot to me.

Because honestly, I graduated from the U with the gender, women, and sexuality studies degree.

So that always has been rooted in my work.

That that goal of just empowering and advancing women in this space.

So thank you so much for this award.

Sorry to the entire St.

Paul community for taking you away from making those pies for Thanksgiving.

Hopefully, the work is going on without you.

The decal.

Okay, I am now so excited to announce that Minnesota Care Partner, Roots Wellness Center, as we know them as, is the 2025 Good Neighbor Award recipient, and to welcome Katie Armender's to come accept this award.

This award honors a business that shows a dedication to improving the community.

Roots Wellness Center fully embodies that purpose through mental health support, culturally grounded care, and wraparound services for individuals and families.

Roots Wellness Center focuses on healing, empowerment, and access.

They create space for community gatherings, provide wellness workshops, host cultural events, and offer sliding scale services to ensure that everyone has access to the care they deserve.

Their nomination highlighted their deep compassion and their commitment to meeting people where they are.

Roots Wellness Center's impact is wide reaching.

They provide culturally specific care, advocate for community health equity, and serve as a trusted space for connection support and healing.

Thank you to Roots Wellness Center for your dedication to improving well-being and providing essential care in our community.

Businesses like yours, like all of those here today, make St.

Paul a stronger, more compassionate place to live.

Congratulations on this very well-deserved honor.

I now invite Katie to the States to say a few words about words about their work.

Thank you.

I didn't know I had to talk.

It's been very challenging this year.

These are very challenging times with everything going on in our political climate and in our communities.

There's a lot of fear.

And so we probably provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental health services, addiction treatment, walk-in services for DAs, comp assessments, advocacy, pretrial navigation.

We are launching alternative response to police in Ramsey County.

We are interviewing for that right now.

And always looking to be, especially in Ward 4, the Midway area to improve the space and be a staple in the community for overall wellness, equity, health, public safety.

It all is intertwined.

And I'm very honored.

I am only one of 43 people in the organization.

And so there's other people, I guess, well, two more people.

But yeah, I just I thank them.

It's I'm again, I'm just one person out of all of them.

So thank you and to the team for bringing their whole heart to the work.

Thank you.

And we've gotten the chance to hear a bit about each of our businesses.

We've gotten a chance to hear from our wonderful business owners, but there's uh nothing like the annual business awards video to really tell the story.

So with that, I'm gonna cue our voice activated video playing program.

And in case you were wondering, that video will also be posted along with the video of today's presentation to the City Council's Business Awards website, and we encourage you to uh like it, share it on social media, use it for your own purposes.

Um, once again, congratulations to all of the winners of the St.

Paul Business Awards.

Um we are so grateful for everything that you do and for choosing to do your business here in St.

Paul.

Um, and again, I want to thank the selection committee.

I want to thank all of the winners in advance for being on the selection committee next year, um, and to thank everyone who worked tirelessly to promote this award, nominated businesses who continue to support St.

Paul Businesses.

And once again, a huge thank you to Vienne Abdullah, who was our unbelievable business awards intern this year.

It would not have happened without her.

With that, I will move approval of the motion.

Is there any discussion?

Seeing none, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

All opposed?

Four in favor, none opposed.

The resolution is adopted.

And we are adjourned.

Thank you all so much.