Toast to Northside Business Awards celebrates prominent local businesses

Wendy Puckett (center right) became emotional as she was presented with “The Rock” business award by Anna Schmiel of NEON, Felicia Perry of WBC, and Zoe Thiel of the City of Minneapolis Small Business Team. Photos by Abdi Mohamed

By Abdi Mohamed Staff Reporter

Laughter and tears of joy were in abundance Thursday Dec. 19 as North Minneapolis based entrepreneurs were recognized for their successes in business this past year. Because of historic divestment from the area and the economic barriers placed in front of the black community, business success has been a cause to celebrate.

Community members came together at the Gathering Space in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota located on W Broadway Ave and Emerson Ave N. Balloons greeted attendees at the doorway as guests took their place for the event. They settled in to listen to remarks from local officials, community leaders, including a short congratulatory video message from Minneapolis Mayor Jack Frey. A feeling of pride could be felt in the room as attendees came to celebrate the accomplishments of Northside business owners as a win of their own. 

Over the course of two months, nominations poured in from online forums and public events which gave organizational leaders like Anna Schmiel, of the Northside Economic Opportunity Network, the tough task of helping decide the winners. 

“Traditionally, the Northside has been disinvested in and so having more investment in Northside businesses is important,” Schmiel said. She says recognizing these businesses for their accomplishments shines a spotlight on their work that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. 

The ceremony, organized by NEON and the West Broadway Business and Area Coalition, was made up of three awards, each with a different title and talent to recognize its winner. The first was the rock, in recognition of an entrepreneur who has helped draw business to the Northside and has served as an anchor to the community. This award was given to Wendy Pucket of Wendy’s House of SOUL. 

The day’s winners gather together for a group photo with their awards in hand.

Having recently suffered from an assault outside her business, Puckett’s acceptance of the award was an emotional moment. In making her popular SOULROLLS, Puckett never expected to be recognized for such an award that uplifted her as a leader in the community. She said her acceptance of the award was emotional because of the familiar faces around her who had all reached out to her during her recovery.

“When I connected with their eyes I connected with the message and it was very warm. It just all came together at one time,” Puckett said. In the new year, Puckett looks to expand her business, release a cookbook and lead cooking classes for young single parents who might be struggling with food insecurity. 

The second winner of the night was Sammy McDowell of Avenue Eatery. McDowell was awarded the Papermaker award for the amount of wealth his business has generated and his dedication to hiring from the community. McDowell opened his second Avenue Eatery location in the city this year and is looking to open at least three more in the next year He says he hopes that his accomplishments in the seven years he’s been running his business can serve as a blueprint for future entrepreneurs from the Northside.

“Someone has to be brave enough not to just say ‘I want it,’ but to actually do it. I’m learning to be a pioneer in the sense that I’m going after these things,” he said.

The third winner of the Toast to Northside Business Awards was Anissa Keys of Arubah Emotional Health Services, a mental health service provider specializing in individual psychotherapy, family and relationship counseling, and rehabilitative care. She was given the Scissors award. Keys is seen as an innovator in her ability to cut through red tape and move past barriers.. “It feels a little bit like a roller coaster ride,” Keys said describing her past year of business ownership  

Born and raised in the Northside, Keys was especially grateful for her award because it came from her community. “My community is the one that did it for me. They molded me and loved on me so it only makes sense that if I’m in a position where I can give back, that I do so for those who have given to me first,” Keys said. In the next year Keys looks forward to sustainability and more expansion of her business.