Revitalizing Waterbury salutes Stowe Street Café owner with O’Dell Award
April 20, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti Stowe Street Cafe owner Nicole Grenier was presented with Revitalizing Waterbury’s Kathy O’Dell Community Service Award at the group’s annual meeting this week.
Revitalizing Waterbury President Julie Frailey (right) offers remarks in presenting Nicole Grenier (center) with the Kathy O’Dell Community Service Award. Photo courtesy Revitalizing Waterbury
The organization saluted Grenier as “an inspirational community member” at the announcement held at at Stone’s Throw Pizza on Tuesday. About 50 community members, local business owners and civic leaders attended the gathering.
Revitalizing Waterbury leaders recapped recent projects and discussed plans for the year ahead including new businesses looking to open, upcoming community events, and infrastructure improvements.
The meeting came the day after the groundbreaking was held nearby for the Stowe Street Alley beautification project. Work is now underway to give the passageway a facelift that will include a path using bricks engraved with messages from community members, benches, lighting, landscaping and art. With the last phase of fundraising also underway, project planners say they aim for it to be completed by fall.
In announcing its annual community service award, Revitalizing Waterbury board President Julie Frailey emphasized Grenier’s contributions to the Waterbury community that go beyond running a business. “Nicole is a fearless cheerleader for Waterbury, its local businesses and the global community,” Frailey told the gathering at Stone’s Throw. “As the owner of Stowe Street Café, she has created a welcoming community gathering place that celebrates local products and artwork. To put it simply, Nicole operates her café with the Waterbury community in mind.”
Revitalizing Waterbury presents the Kathy O’Dell Community Service Award in recognition of a business or individual. It is named in honor of the organization’s founder Kathy O’Dell, who served as its first president in 1991 and passed away in 2005.
In her remarks, Frailey explained that the group chose Grenier to recognize her skill at raising awareness of local needs and global issues alongside the daily operation of her business. She pointed to Grenier’s efforts to fundraise in support of the Waterbury food shelf, the Waterbury Area Good Neighbor Fund and World Central Kitchen.
Joined by her family, Nicole Grenier holds the Kathy O’Dell Award plaque at the Revitalizing Waterbury annual meeting on April 16. Photo by Revitalizing Waterbury
During the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently during the 2023 floods, Grenier and the café staff provided meals to the community and “a place of calm and rest,” Frailey recalled.
“With international events such as the war in Ukraine, the ACLU or the Israel/Palestine conflict, she provides information and financial support. She also highlights and supports BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community and their contributions,” Frailey said. “Her support of our community is extensive and her community vision and passion is inspirational, benefitting Waterbury residents and families, other Waterbury businesses and visitors.”
In accepting the honor, Grenier credited the cafe staff, particularly Chef Stephanie Biczko, for their work with the business’ community meal distribution and other charitable projects. Grenier commended those gathered for being role models who help shape the community saying that the tight-knit atmosphere was “what helped to steal my heart” when she came to live in Waterbury.
Grenier joins “a special list of community members who put Waterbury first in their work and life,” remarked Revitalizing Waterbury Executive Director Karen Nevin. “Waterbury is grateful to have her as a friend and neighbor.” A list of past winners of the O’Dell Award is on the Revitalizing Waterbury website.
The presentation was part of a short program for the meeting where board members shared updates on various initiatives including:
Economic Development Director Owen Sette-Ducati said his work recently involves businesses looking to open and grow in Waterbury including a new ReStore retail outlet preparing to open a store on South Main Street near Subway.
Marketing and communications staffer Denis Palic described updates to the organization’s website and publications including a new edition of the Discover Waterbury business guide being assembled to be completed by Memorial Day. Additional work will take place this year to include information about businesses in Waterbury Center in the organization’s marketing and tourism information, he said.
Vice President Matt Larson announced the dates, July 12-13, for Waterbury Artsfest this summer. The event is Revitalizing Waterbury’s main annual fundraiser that involves entertainment, food, and dozens of art vendors. Larson told the group there were still some posters left from Artsfest 2023 and that the group is now seeking designs for the 2024 event poster.
Board member Carolyn Fox who works on the group’s design committee said that work would happen soon on downtown flower baskets. The committee is also updating its design standards used for various visual displays.
Nevin said the organization this year aims to incorporate Waterbury Center businesses into its activities and various promotions. To help inform that effort, a survey of businesses outside of the downtown will happen soon, she said. Also, in response to the 2023 floods that impacted Waterbury, a new long-term recovery group has formed to address rebuilding and resilience. As a 501c3 nonprofit, Revitalizing Waterbury has filled the role of fiscal sponsor for the new organization named “CReW” – short for Community Resilience for the Waterbury area. It aims to assist property owners in Waterbury, Duxbury, Bolton, Moretown and Middlesex.
Outgoing Treasurer David Luce reported on the volunteer committee’s annual gathering last year where it honored longtime volunteer Jane Brown for her work to direct attention to public “orphan garden” spaces around town.
Scott Weigand on the marketing and tourism committee noted various business workshops that are planned each year and noted that the group is closely watching and supporting efforts by the town’s Housing Task Force on a variety of housing issues in the community.
The business portion of the meeting involved board elections. The group thanked members Krister Adams, Katya d’Angelo and Tyler Keefe as they ended their service on the board. It elected Matt Larson and Carolyn Fox to continue as board members. Officers for the coming year also were chosen with Frailey continuing as president and Larson as vice president. Colin Palmer replaces David Luce as treasurer, and Otho Thompson continues as secretary.
Founded in 1991, Revitalizing Waterbury is Waterbury’s nonprofit economic and community development organization with more than 250 individual and business members. Its mission is to preserve, promote and enhance the economic, historic and social vitality of Waterbury, Vermont for residents, businesses and visitors.