2009 Nicholas Awards Presentation

2009 NICHOLAS AWARDS PRESENTATION
At the Oak Park Development Corporation Annual Meeting
4 February 2010

Donna Carroll, President, Dominican University
Bruce Elegant, President & CEO, Rush Oak Park Hospital

This marks the 30th year that we have presented the Nicholas Awards. Tonight, we recognize a company, business owner, developer or property owner that has, in OPDC?s judgment, made a significant commitment to the business community during the past year. Assistance from OPDC, such as a loan or grant, is not a requirement for consideration.

The framed certificate we award pictures the Nicholas Hardware Store on the northwest corner of Westgate and Marion. It was the George Hemingway (uncle of Ernest) Real Estate & Insurance office.

These awards are named to honor Robert E. Nicholas, Oak Park?s pioneer commercial developer during the early 1900s. Mr. Nicholas was an astute business leader, a dedicated director of the former Oak Park Trust and a developer. His developments included Lytton?s, the Fair Department Store and the Westgate area.

The businesses represented by tonight?s recipients invested over $26 Million total and collectively created employment for over 120 people in Oak Park.

The Nicholas Award Recipients for significant investment in 2009 are:

Asian Domestic Authority, 246 Lake Street
Avenue Nail Spa, 129 N. Oak Park Avenue
Barclay?s American Grille, 1120 Pleasant Avenue
The Bleeding Heart Bakery, 1010 North Boulevard
Bruegger?s, 1118 Lake Street
Caroline Rose, 741-45 Madison Street
Compass Eye Care, 603 Madison Street
Divine Consign, 111 N. Oak Park Avenue
Red Hen Bread, 736 Lake Street
Sear?s Pharmacy, 1003 Madison Street
Sen Sushi Bar, 814 S. Oak Park Avenue
Shoe Soko, 111 N. Marion Street
Oak Park Area Visitors Center, 1010 Lake Street
West Suburban Medical Center Emergency Department, 3 Erie Court

Our ongoing thanks and congratulations are extended to each of the 2009 Nicholas Award recipients. Please patronize these and other local businesses and thank them for their continued investment in Oak Park.