The best of Boyne: Chamber honors business leaders

From the Petoskey News-Review: The economy might still be struggling to recover from a recession, but for the second year in a row, the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating a string of business successes. Among the new developments in the Boyne City business community that were held out as examples of the community’s ability to weather the ongoing economic storm was the “South Boyne” or “SoBo” arts district that sprung up over the summer in the area of south Lake and East Main streets. Liz Glass, from Lake Street Market, shared the story of how she came up with the idea for the moniker for the area (inspired by the “SoHo” district of New York City) after seeing several art studios spring up near her shop. “It’s become this thing,” Glass said. "It’s a vibrant sort of notion now.” Speaking of her own establishment’s business over the past year, Glass said, “In a really bad economy, we’re at least flat, and flat’s the new up, right?”

Red Mesa Grill general manager Don Ryde said the well-known downtown restaurant also has done well. “It’s been a great year, a banner year, the best we’ve ever had,” Ryde said.

PHOTO - The chamber handed out annual awards to, from left, Community Pride Award to Dean Kleinschrodt of the American Legion, Entrepreneur of the Year to Tony Williams of Freshwater Studio, Young Entrepreneur of the Year Chris Faulknor of the Boyne City Gazette, Volunteer of the Year Karen Guzniczak of Country Now & Then, and Sally Roselli Business Leadership Award to Glen Catt of Catt Development.
Details and full story from Petoskey News-Review.