Main Street Medina honors 2025 achievements

The 2025 annual meeting of Main Street Medina was held Jan. 21, at Williams on the Lake.

The event honored members, donors, volunteers and partners, while highlighting the organization’s 2025 year in review. Board Chair Brad Root welcomed 112 guests and introduced Medina Mayor Jim Shields, who offered remarks. Root also reviewed the organization’s three-year strategic plan, along with its mission and vision.

Outgoing board members Amy Busby, Matt Liegl, Becky Molnar and Andrew Schuler were recognized with service awards. Root also announced the newly elected board members Brian Finley, Kevin Hutchinson and Don Merril, who were approved by a majority vote of members in December 2025. In 2026, Flavio Bortolotto will replace Busby as vice president, and Merril will replace Molnar as treasurer.

Executive Director George Sam, Associate Director Manfred Heck and Events Director Angela Mansier reflected on 2025 projects, activities and events, and shared plans for 2026.

Sam highlighted the hiring of Marketing Director Sadie O’Neil. With the addition, Main Street Medina’s Facebook page reached more than 6 million views by the end of 2025, along with hundreds of thousands of views on Instagram. O’Neil is also expanding the organization’s presence across additional platforms, including TikTok.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the 2025 awards. Supporting sponsors ($1,000) included Huntington Bank and Williams on the Lake, while partnering sponsors ($500) included Armstrong and Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston.

2025 award recipients

• Volunteer of the Year: Sam Custer

• Student Volunteer of the Year: Eli Cooper

• Nonprofit of the Year: Independent Order of Oddfellows

• Partnership of the Year: ACME Fresh Market

• Community Spirit of the Year: The Farmers Market Team

• Retail Business of the Year: Farmhouse 1834

• Sponsor of the Year: Trillium Creek Dermatology

• Facade Facelifts of the Year: South Court St. Properties (RizTech, Sportsworld, All Fired Up!, Nibble and Labyrinth Management Group)

• Building Rehab of the Year: 400 S. Court St.

• Business Expansion of the Year: Castle Noel

• Restaurant of the Year: Dominic’s & JoJo’s

• Service Business of the Year: Huntington Bank

• New Business of the Year: Hemingway’s Underground

• Visionary of the Year: Kelly Parks

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Dennis Hanwell, former Medina mayor

Looking ahead to 2026, Main Street Medina plans to continue its Facade Matching Grant Program, install gateway elements along South Court Street, complete the Medina Bee Park in June, host signature and promotional events with an America 250 theme, and provide marketing tools and resources for small businesses.