by John McLoone

Broadway Boutique in Stanley was the winner of the Chippewa County Economic Development Corp. Business of the Year Award for the Stanley-Boyd quadrant.

Heather Brenner and Deb Chwala accepted the award at the CCEDC Annual Breakfast Meeting, held Friday at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds.

From its roots decades ago as a downtown Stanley flower shop – Flowers on Broadway – the store has evolved to become a shop ping destination, drawing customers from hundreds of miles. The store, according to its website, features “over 8,000 square feet of carefully curated apparel, accessories, hand- bags and footwear, plus some amazing home décor and gifts.”

“We, Broadway’s buyers, hand pick each piece for our wide spectrum of shoppers. Women of all ages – teens to the ladies who have enjoyed decades of fashion, urban to rural travelers from all over the country, visit Broadway to experience its hospitality. Broadway is unique, warm and welcoming, strong and empowered and ever-evolving,” it states on broadwayinstanley.com.

Brenner credits much of the success of Broadway Boutique to her team and their dedication to helping each and every customer.

“Our employees are amazing, and they are

See BROADWAY, Page 3

Stanley’s Broadway Boutique was a winner of a Chippewa County Economic Development Corp. Business of the Year and was honored at the group’s Annual Meeting Friday morning at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. Pictured are (from left) keynote speaker Dr. Lona Cook, Deb Chwala of Broadway Boutique, State Sen. Kathy Bernier, State Rep. Jesse James, Heather Brenner of Broadway Boutique, State Rep. Rob Summerfield and CCEDC Chairperson Rebecca Reinhardt. Photo courtesy of CCEDC. BROADWAY

from page 1

truly invested in what they do and our customers and want them to leave happy,” she said in a video presentation at the award ceremony. “Growing up in a small town, I always had that wanting to go somewhere else or wanting to be in a bigger city. This job does allow me to do that, so I can bring them from a big city to a small community.”

The goal at Broadway Boutique is to ouer customers a "ul timate shopping experience.”

“Our customers here at Broadway, we just love our customers. I feel like we’re sort of an entertainment business as well. We want them to come here and get away from life and just have this feel-good shopping experience that kind of set the mood for their day or week. There’s no better medicine than coming into a small little boutique or business in town and supporting them,” said Brenner.

Businesses in other sectors of the county were honored and special recognition was given to State Sen. Kathy Bernier, who has helped spur economic development euorts in Chip pewa County, serving in numerous elected capacities, from Lake Hallie Village Board to Chippewa County Clerk before winning election as a State Assembly Representative. She was elected to the Senate in 2018 and decided against seeking re-election for another term.

The keynote address at the breakfast was given by Dr. Lona Cook of Cook Chiropractic in Chippewa Falls. She’s the author of the top-selling book, “Reclamation: The Evolution of a Hot Mess.” Her address to business leaders attending gave them tools to energize their euorts.