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Coral Springs Honors Local Business with Excellence Awards

Nothing Bundt Cakes

By: Sharon Aron Baron

Each year, the City of Coral Springs recognizes, and honors local businesses who have exemplified a commitment to the economic vitality of the city, with the Business Excellence Awards.

Kristi Bartlett, director of economic development said, “It is so important to honor the contributions of our business community and the economic impact they have on our city’s landscape.”

This year, businesses were selected based on six categories: Company to Watch Award, Legacy Award, Small Company Award (Under 49 employees), Large Company Award (Over 50 employees), Heart of the Community Award and Commissioner Award.

Of the 66 of nominations received, the following six Coral Springs businesses were selected to receive the Business Excellence Award, in the following categories:

Company to Watch Award

Nothing Bundt Cakes is owned and operated by Naztazia and Dennis Wellert, Nothing Bundt Cakes not only serve up delicious desserts, they hire and mentor local teens and assist other franchisees opening nationwide. They selected Coral Springs to open their franchise because of its reputation as a family friendly community, and relocated their family to Coral Springs as well.

Legacy Award

Doris Italian Market. Family owned and operated, Doris Italian Market is a staple of the Coral Springs community and proudly known as the gourmet market without the gourmet prices. Patrons enjoy the freshest produce and seafood, a full-service bakery, an old-fashioned butcher shop and vast wine selection. Many families only consider Doris Italian Market when serving up their traditional holiday meals.

Small Company Award

Courtesy School of Rock Coral Springs.

School of Rock. Providing music lessons and outstanding performances, School of Rock helps to build self-confidence and improves academics for children and young adults enrolled in their music programs. Students can enroll in one-on-one lessons and group band practices.

The company also provides an employment outlet for local musicians to share their talent with the entertainers of tomorrow.

Large Company Award

Cruise Planners. Whether you are booking travel or becoming a travel advisor, Cruise Planners has been inspiring travelers to see the world – by land or by sea – for more than 25 years. The company, founded by CEO Michelle Fee, employs more than 120 at their state-of-the-art Coral Springs office and has been recognized and honored globally by the largest and well-known cruise and destination resort organizations.

Heart of the Community

Green Thumb is owned and operated John Biesterfield and family, and is more than the largest lawn mower super store in Florida. The company believes that giving back to the community is paramount to their business model. Last year, Green Thumb organized a collection of more than $50K to ensure the daughter of the late Coach Aaron Feis who was killed during the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland has her college paid for in full.

In addition, Green Thumb had the financing on Feis’s riding lawn mower paid for and donated it back to Marjory Stoneman Douglas Athletic Department, to mow the very lawn Feis coached students on throughout his career.

Commissioner Award

First Data. This financial service company is one of Coral Springs largest employers. First Data is committed to the betterment of our community, participating and funding city-run programming honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the police department’s enrichment program – Summer BreakSpot. Most notably, the organization is committed to hiring our nation’s veterans and honoring their service during planned ceremonies.

Bartlett said The Business Excellence Awards are one of many ways the city recognizes local companies for growing in Coral Springs and contributions made to the community through service and philanthropy.

The Business Excellence Awards Winners will be honored by the Coral Springs Commission and Economic Development Committee with a private reception, followed by formal recognition on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 during the city commission meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Author Profile

Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.