Unique bike café and winery among top SoPo business award recipients

COURTESY / CITY OF SOUTH PORTLAND South Portland will present its Business & Economic Development Awards on Feb. 15.

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An eclectic new business that offers coffee, wine and e-bikes is among the recipients this year of the South Portland Business & Economic Development Awards.

Lincoln & Main Electric Bike Café & Winery is the New Business of the Year Award winner. The shop was established last year by co-owners Thaddeus St. John and Doug Watts, and offers bagels, coffee, wine, and an extensive e-bike selection. The space on the corner of Lincoln and Main streets is also available for private rental for events.

The committee received several dozen nominations for the seven awards and Donna Kane, chair of the city’s economic development committee, said that, after a third year of pandemic challenges, the creativity, perseverance and resilience of the business community has shown.

The public is invited to recognize businesses that have contributed to the strength, diversity and vibrancy of the SoPo business community at an awards ceremony on Feb. 15.

Judith Borelli was honored with the Heart of South Portland award.

The Heart of South Portland Award is one of the highest honors and is presented occasionally to a person who has demonstrated outstanding devotion to the business community in South Portland by presenting a body of community good works. Judith Borelli, director of public affairs at Texas Instruments, is the latest honoree. A partial list of committees and organizations she serves includes board chair for the Manufacturers Association of Maine, board treasurer for the Southern Maine Community College Foundation, board member of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber of Commerce, member of the Advocacy Committee for Portland Regional Chamber, and board member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

She is engaged in various committees for the city and school district, and for religious and charitable organizations.

The Small Business of the Year Award will go to Nelson Metal Fabrication Inc. John Nelson and his team began operations in 2013, providing welding and custom metalwork services. Nelson Metal Fabrication also collaborates with People’s Inclusive Welding, a nonprofit that provides traditionally underrepresented individuals with the tools to succeed in the world of welding.

High Tide Organic LLC was the winner of the SoPo Sustainability Award, which recognizes businesses and individuals who prioritize sustainability and are making strides towards impactful change to the environment. Owner Frank “Skip” Sullivan and his team, who cultivate adult and medical-use marijuana by employing regenerative farming methods, has greatly reduced the carbon footprint of his operations where most all-natural consumables are recycled several times.

The Santo “Sam” DiPietro Community Impact Award will go to Waterfront Alliance, a nonprofit, civic organization committed to protecting and promoting working waterfronts of South Portland and Portland. Since the 1980s, the alliance seeks to educate the public and advocate for the positive advancement of the waterfront.

Southern Maine Community College will receive the Business Leader of the Year Award, which honors an individual or organization that has set a lasting precedent for success and innovation. The college was recognized for playing a vital role in the education and training of Maine’s dynamic workforce, offering programs designed to meet the needs of Maine’s private, public and nonprofit sectors.

FILE PHOTO / SMCC

Southern Maine Community College has its main campus on South Portland's waterfront.

ShipRight will be recognized as the Business of the Year, presented to a business with 25 or more employees that has most improved and strengthened the local business community.

COURTESY / SHIPRIGHT

Todd Flaherty.

ShipRight has initiated inclusive employment practices and navigated the challenges of the pandemic in its approach to order fulfillment.

COURTESY / SHIPRIGHT

Drew Graham.

The awards ceremony will be from 5-7:30 p.m. at the South Portland High School Cafeteria, 637 Highland Ave. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for tours of the school, followed by hors d'oeuvres and in-person networking at 5 p.m. The awards ceremony will start at 6 p.m.

Two South Portland businesses will be involved in the event’s production. Ocean Street’s Verbena will be catering and Bowman Productions LLC will produce short videos highlighting the stories of the recipients. More information is available here.