2022 Annual Meeting
The 2022 Main Street Medina Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, January 25 at Williams on the Lake. The annual event honors our members, donors, volunteers, and partners as well as highlights the results from the 2022 program.
Eric Stasiowski, MSM board chairperson, called the meeting to order and presented Mayor Dennis Hanwell for City of Medina remarks. Kevin Rych, outgoing Treasurer, presented the financial year-end report, and Executive Director, George Sam reflected on the past year and events, plans and projects for 2023. Eric reviewed the 3-year strategic plan with our mission, vision and strategy through 2024, presented our outgoing board members Bill Hutson, Cheryl Murrin, Tom O'Connell, and Kevin Rych with awards for their service. Eric also introduced our new board of directors and staff which can be found on this website under Our Organization.
The evening concluded with a presentation of our 2022 Awards Celebration. Award recipients and photos are below. Congratulations to our winners! Thank you to our title sponsor, Armstrong, and supporting sponsors Critchfield, Critchfield and Johnston; Huntington Bank, and Williams on the Lake (also for their good food and awesome venue!) Check out our Year in Review video created by Mike Tuchek at Armstrong and photos by Medina TV.
Eric Stasiowski, MSM board chairperson, called the meeting to order and presented Mayor Dennis Hanwell for City of Medina remarks. Kevin Rych, outgoing Treasurer, presented the financial year-end report, and Executive Director, George Sam reflected on the past year and events, plans and projects for 2023. Eric reviewed the 3-year strategic plan with our mission, vision and strategy through 2024, presented our outgoing board members Bill Hutson, Cheryl Murrin, Tom O'Connell, and Kevin Rych with awards for their service. Eric also introduced our new board of directors and staff which can be found on this website under Our Organization.
The evening concluded with a presentation of our 2022 Awards Celebration. Award recipients and photos are below. Congratulations to our winners! Thank you to our title sponsor, Armstrong, and supporting sponsors Critchfield, Critchfield and Johnston; Huntington Bank, and Williams on the Lake (also for their good food and awesome venue!) Check out our Year in Review video created by Mike Tuchek at Armstrong and photos by Medina TV.
2022 Annual Report
Learn about our annual accomplishments working with businesses, civic leaders, community leaders, and residents - all working to make Medina a destination. You can upload both the 2022 and 2021 reports.

2022 MSM Annual Report | |
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Every year, Main Street Medina provides a Year In Review infographic to capture our progress in brief. Here are the results from the last five years.
Annual Awards Celebration
2022 Award Winners - Jan. 25, 2023
MSM Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration, Williams on the Lake.
MSM Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration, Williams on the Lake.
Each year, Main Street Medina recognizes individuals and businesses that bring the organizations mission statement to life. Here are our award recipients for 2022 ...
2022 Annual Awards
CORPORATE COMMUNITY SPIRIT - This award is presented to Erik Fargo/EQT Foundation. Erik and his wife Emily moved to Medina in 2018 so Emily could pursue a career with the Cleveland Clinic. They never thought they would move out of the Pittsburgh area, but a site visit to Medina and a weekend stroll around the Square quickly changed their minds. They raised their two-year-old son here and their second child is due in June. At the time of their move, Erik worked remotely for a Pittsburgh-based company and made the move to EQT Corporation in 2020. EQT is the largest producer of natural gas in the US, with operations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Through the EQT Foundation, they provide philanthropic support for communities in which they operate and where its employees live. EQT Foundation typically donates a 1:1 employee match, but on Giving Tuesday they offer a double match as an extra incentive for employees to support initiatives that are meaningful to them. Because of Erik’s love for Medina and continuing support of Main Street Medina, he was able to leverage an additional $6,000 along with his generous donation of $3,000 on Giving Tuesday during our annual appeal. Thank you, Erik and Emily for choosing Medina as your new home, for your help with Beer Fest and other events, and for providing these funds to help us make a difference in the community. We are pleased to award you and EQT Foundation the 2022 Corporate Community Spirit Award and look forward to working together in 2023. NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR - Life’s Treasures Thrift Shop/Hospice of Medina Co. at 317 South Court Street in South Town is a popular destination for shoppers looking for a good deal on furniture, clothing, décor, collectibles and more. Everything in the shop is generously donated by the community. All proceeds directly benefit the patients and support the loved ones in need of the services provided by Hospice of Medina County, an affiliate of Hospice of the Western Reserve. Shop managers Stephanie Furie and Angel Kiefer work hard with their team of volunteers to keep the items moving, and most of all to create an experience that shoppers enjoy. This year, we are honored to present them with the 2022 Non-Profit of the Year Award for providing much needed services to our community. FOODIE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Cool Beans Café at 113 West Liberty Street has been a popular gathering place for “foodies” on the Square because of it’s reputation and comfortable atmosphere. Besides the award winning espresso bar and fresh baked goods, Cool Beans offers made-to-order wraps, salads, paninis, soups, and more. But it’ more than just good food. For 13 years, Laura Cavey has owned Cool Beans and along with her staff is always willing to get creative to engage with the community and fellow businesses: Laura is known for her creative promotions like “sign wars (remember that?),” Wizarding Weekend and Hocus Pocus Weekend … and provides cooking and arts classes, live music, and a gallery for local artists to show their works in the cafe. Laura generously sponsors free kids movies at the Square and is launching a scholarship this year for Medina County students who are exploring entrepreneurship. Laura supports local and national causes and is always involved in the community … especially to help Main Street Medina and other non-profit organizations succeed. We are honored to give Laura Cavey and Cool Beans Café the 2022 Foodie Business of the Year Award. RETAIL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Bella Moxie Company is located at 236 West Liberty Street in the Carriage House next door to the beautifully restored 1880s Victorian Home there. Long-time friends Susan Harr and Estella Hutchinson say Bella Moxie means “beautiful strength” and that is the vision for their retail consignment shop where they procure handmade goods from local & independent designers. Susan and Estella also manage The Gathering Place, an indoor/outdoor space on the property where groups can meet for team building, artists can hold workshops, and friends can gather for a quiet retreat including a brown bag lunch every Wednesday. Susan and Estella are rooted in their faith and believe that partnering with the community and building relationships is part of their mission. Main Street Medina recognizes Bella Moxie Company as Retail Business of the Year and thanks Susan and Estella for their community support and engagement. SERVICE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Christy Overman is the force behind the magic at Bubbles & Bows! Because of Christy’s talents and her many happy customers, the business had quickly outgrown her first location at 119 Lafayette Street, to the repurposed church at 247 Lafayette Rd … and most recently expanding to retail and warehouse space at 885 West Liberty Street. If you’ve shopped in Medina you’ve seen her creations adorning store windows. If you’ve attended a local wedding, graduation, anniversary, birthday party, etc., you’ve enjoyed the unique balloon creations that Christy and her team have designed. Most notably, since Christy’s opening, she surprises local businesses with a custom balloon arrangement of their product or service as a gift to them and to spread joy to their customers. Over the years since she’s opened, Christy has donated her services to support Main Street Medina events like the Farmers Markets, South Town Music Festival, and Ladies Nights Out. Because of her generosity and community support, we honor Christy Overman and Bubbles & Bows with the 2022 Service Business of the Year Award. NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Juan Bravo is the owner of Monarca Cantina, a new restaurant located at 108 Public Square … bringing the vibrant flavors of Mexico to Medina. From their popular Street Tacos to the decadent Mole Poblano and Margarita flights, everything on the menu is hand crafted and made to order using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Monarca’s menu features a unique variety of award-winning dishes designed by Chef Victor Conrique. If you’ve had the pleasure of dining in their newly remodeled space, you’ve surely noticed the lively figures at the storefront, the artwork on the walls of famous Mexican artists, and of course, the Monarch butterflies adorning the lighted trees throughout the restaurant and bar. Juan and his team have truly embraced the community and is a welcomed addition to the Square. Main Street Medina is honored to recognize Juan Bravo and Monarca Cantina as the 2022 New Business of the Year. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Barbara Lee has been a volunteer for Main Street Medina since 2019 and a Medina resident since 2013. Barb first came here to help her daughter open a “Bricks for Kids – Legos and Robotics” franchise on North Court Street and decided to stay. Barb first discovered MSM when we held the Volunteer Expo at the Medina Library in 2019. She started with the volunteer crew working the Farmers Markets, then continued to sign up for more events, selling merchandise, distributing materials to businesses, and help out at the office. Barb is a true example of volunteerism with her enthusiasm and positive energy. Barb has always been athletic, as a former gymnast and owner of Youngstown Gymnastics & Fitness and later Tumble Bus Mobile Gymnastics for Kids. She has three daughters and eleven grandchildren. Barb is an avid bicyclist, ballroom dancer, aerobics guru at the Rec Center, and traveler. Today we are proud to honor Barbara Lee with the 2022 Volunteer of the Year Award. |
STUDENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - Giovanni Stabile is a one-of-a-kind student! I was fortunate enough to meet him on my very 1st day as the Farmers Market manager in 2020. He has remained just as helpful, reliable & friendly almost 3 years later. In the past 2-1/2 years, I have learned even more about this bright young man. He excels in his academics, shows leadership in Key Club, and shares his musical talents in the MHS Marching and Jazz Bands. Gio has been instrumental in helping me recruit other student volunteers for the Farmers Market. Here is a great example of how highly respected Gio is: when he decided to work with the principal of his elementary alma mater to create a student garden in the courtyard, he asked me to reach out to the Farmers Market vendors. The response was tremendous, with every vendor happily donating money to his project. He is the kind of young man who lives to give back to his community – his schools, classmates, teams of peers, and Medina at large. Main Street Medina has benefitted greatly from all Gio has to offer and wants to give! I am honored to present Gio Stabile with the 2022 Student Volunteer of the Year Award.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD - Most of you, if not all of you, know Matt Wiederhold. For nearly 15 years, Matt has been the face and voice of Main Street Medina, leading the way steadily through the challenges of community development as executive director … creating and managing revitalization efforts, public events, committee projects, and community programs to assure the success and sustainability of Main Street Medina that we celebrate today. Matt has many years of experience serving on multiple boards and community groups offering his expertise and talents in historic preservation, art and history, property development and community building in Medina and across our state. In May of 2022, Matt was offered the position of Executive Director for Heritage Ohio, the parent organization for Ohio Main Street communities like Medina. Matt received his bachelor-of-arts degree in art history with a focus on American architecture and historic preservation from the University of Toledo. He received National Main Street Certification in 2004, and in 2006 he became an economic development finance professional. I am proud to have worked under Matt as Program Director for Main Street Medina since 2018 and only hope that I can continue his legacy. Thank you, Matt for your service and leadership in Medina and for being a friend to all of us. It is my honor to present you with the Main Street Medina Community Leadership Award. Congratulations! 2021 Annual Awards
2019 Annual Awards
2018 Annual Awards
2017 Annual Awards
2016 Annual Awards
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