Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: From left, Jennell Carlock and Patricia Maldonado, of Boulevard Glass are all smiles after being presented with the award for Best of Safford Business Excellence – Service Business 2023.
The Best of Safford Awards see new and familiar faces
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – The eclectic ongoing reformation of Downtown Safford continues to improve the aesthetics of the area’s merchants and a celebration of their excellence was on full display at The Venue on Main on Wednesday during the Safford Downtown Association’s annual Best of Safford Awards luncheon.
Downtown Association President Danny Smith emceed the event and lunch was catered by Thatcher Vice Mayor Jenny Howard and Ginaveve’s Main Street Bean. Smith gave a slideshow reviewing the improvements spearheaded in the last couple of decades by the Downtown Association and what lies ahead, including new 20-foot signage for Highway 70 alerting travelers to the retail oasis one block south.
Smith went over several projects the SDA has been involved with, including a vast sidewalk renovation and the Downtown Facade Grant Program which began in 2002 and provides a 50 percent match for facade upgrades. As of 2023, the program has provided $182,000 in grants resulting in $900,000 in facade improvements.
Smith also pointed out the many murals Downtown painted by Brandt Woods and others, which he said began with the “Greetings from Safford” mural on the Farmers Insurance building at 610 W. Main St. designed and painted by Tucson artist Amy Novelli with assistance from former Safford resident Michaela Dannenbrink. Woods reportedly has been contracted to paint an homage to hometown MMA star Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje on the side of Ginaveve’s Main Street Bean to continue the artwork Downtown.
The historic Downtown Safford Theatre represents all that is the Best of Safford as it is planned to serve as an economic driver to Downtown and, according to Smith, will help revitalize the area. After more than 30 years of planning and a decade of work, the renovation is nearly complete. Standing on the balcony looking down at the open-air stage one instantly sees the opportunity to put on spectacular shows, especially music acts. Smith and the Downtown Association believe the Safford Theatre will bring foot traffic to Downtown, benefiting some of the roughly 118 Downtown businesses.
“The Safford Theatre project is an economic development project intended to put a few hundred people on the street every night to make the cash registers ring at other businesses,” Smith said. “We’re about 75 percent done and hope to be done by the end of this year.”
Following the slideshow, Smith turned the microphone over to Jacque Attaway, who then introduced each SDA member who presented the awards to the winners in the various categories.
“The purpose of this is to recognize businesses doing good things – good work,” Smith said. “Does it catch everyone? Does it recognize everyone? No, but we do our best and want to celebrate some of the good things we are doing and celebrate all those people who have been nominated . . .”
Smith said a total of 1,211 people voted on the awards and that in some categories the difference between first, second, and third came down to just a handful of votes.
This year, the award for Best of Safford Business Excellence – Service Business 2023 went to Boulevard Glass. The award was presented by SDA board member Jon Stewart to Boulevard Glass employees Jennell Carlock and Patricia Maldonado.
“We’re super proud,” Carlock and Maldonado said. “Great business. (I) love working for them,” Maldonado added. “If you guys want good service come and see us. We’ll be more than happy to serve you guys.”
Other winners this year included Best of Safford Business Excellence – Retail Business of 2023: Ace Hardware/Safford Builders; Best Customer Service 2023: Roycycled Treasurers; Best of Safford – Best Newcomer of 2023: Salty Heifer Grill; Best Food Truck with a Safford license 2023: Antojitos El Cholo; Best Business Remodel of 2023: Ginaveve’s/Main Street Bean; and Best Dining Experience 2023 went to the perennial winner, Casa Mañana.
To view the Gila Herald’s Photo Album of the event click here. Like and follow on Facebook for more news and events.
