Bruce and Barbara Brown, owners and operators of the popular restaurant Bruce’s Fabulous Foods, are the 2011 Main Street Champions for Marion.
At a recent ceremony, state Commerce Secretary J. Keith Crisco presented 21 awards to participants in the N.C. Main Street Program. Award winners were recognized for excellence in downtown revitalization efforts in categories such as promotion, organization, design and economic restructuring, according to a news release.
“Our successful Main Street programs have proven that revitalizing our downtown areas can help grow local small businesses, attract new investments and create jobs,” said Crisco. “Congratulations to this year’s winners for their efforts to improve communities across North Carolina.”
As part of the ceremony, the state recognized the Main Street Champions, who are nominated by their local N.C. Main Street programs for the “remarkable contributions they have made to the downtown revitalization process in their communities.” A total of 31 individuals were honored for their contributions in 2011.
“Whether volunteers, business or property owners, corporate citizens, civic leaders, municipal employees or public officials, Main Street Champions are the stewards of downtown, who go the extra mile to restore vibrancy and vitality to the hearts of the communities they love,” said Liz Parham, Director of the Urban Development Division.
The Browns were honored as the Main Street Champions for Marion. They were chosen by the Marion Business Association.
“When Bruce and Barbara Brown opened Bruce’s Fabulous Foods in downtown Marion in 2001, they only had two tables for customers to share, but they featured 26 varieties of their signature menu item: cheesecake,” reads the MBA’s nomination. “A decade later, they offer 135 flavors with the list still growing, and a small business grant from the city of Marion has enabled the couple to establish a mail order business selling their popular dessert. Active members of both the Marion Business Association and McDowell Tourism boards of directors, the Browns have brought regional and state recognition to Marion.”
Articles about their business have appeared in Roam, Our State and WNC magazines. Since 2003, Bruce Brown has been the “resident chef” for WLOS in Asheville, where he tapes “Carolina Kitchen” segments. He also cooks live every Sunday morning on “News 13 This Morning” and twice a week on “MY40 This Morning,” according to the nomination from the MBA.
The Browns said they were totally surprised to be chosen as Main Street Champions.
“I am very honored,” said Bruce Brown. “I am very humbled by it. I think of so many other people who are deserving of it.”
Bruce’s Fabulous Foods started doing business in the downtown on Sept. 21, 2001 and has been located in its current building for five and a half years now. The restaurant has seven full-time employees, plus a number of part-time workers who help out with catering and special events.
The N.C. Main Street Program helps small towns “preserve their historic fabric and, using local resources, build on their unique characteristics to create vibrant central business districts.”
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