Wake Forest Downtown, Inc. was among several participants in the N.C. Main Street and Small Town Main Street program to earn recognition at the 2015 N.C. Main Street Awards Conference in Morganton on Thursday, March 19.
Wake Forest Downtown won an “Award of Merit” for “Best Downtown Special Event or Event Series” for Dirt Day. Presented to Downtown Development Director Lisa Hayes and Wake Forest Downtown Board Chair Michael Johnson, the award recognizes an outstanding and creative downtown special event or event series.
In addition, Dino Radosta, owner of White Street Brewing Company., was recognized as a 2014 Main Street Champion.
“Main Street Champions recognize the possibilities in their downtowns and strive to make those possibilities a reality,” Liz Parham, director of the N.C. Main Street Center and the Office of Urban Development, said.
“N.C. Main Street Champions are our communities most valued leaders honored for their commitment to downtown and to their community. They are Main Street board members and volunteers, nonprofit leaders, downtown developers and small business owners. They are those individuals that give 110 percent to their community and then ask, what’s next.”
Several years ago Dino and his wife, Tina, purchased three buildings in the heart of downtown Wake Forest. The Radostas wanted to make a difference downtown and showcase what the historic buildings could look like when renovated with care.
Today, two beautifully renovated buildings house some of the most vibrant businesses and office space in downtown Wake Forest. The third was carefully and painstakingly renovated into a beautiful state-of-the-art microbrewery that has garnered state and national attention, including a Capital Area Preservation award.
“White Street Brewing Company has changed the face of our downtown by attracting new visitors from all over the region, adding fun and vibrancy to our historic area, inspiring other business owners and creating a large economic impact on our downtown,” said Hayes.
Secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce John E. Skvarla III, and Assistant Secretary of the Rural Economic Development Division Dr. Patricia Mitchell were on hand to present the awards.
The N.C. Main Street Center works to stimulate economic development within the context of historic preservation, using a comprehensive approach to downtown revitalization developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and utilized by the National Main Street Center to assist communities across the country. For more information, visit www.nccommerce.com/rd/main-street.
