Celebrating our 2025 Leadership Awards

Chad Kulas

On Feb. 8, 2025, the Midway Chamber held its annual celebration. Its our biggest event of the year, and one new twist in 2025 was holding it at Allianz Field. The venue was a big hit, as we started on the Field Club level before moving upstairs for dinner.
The night is always filled with fun, joy, games, live and silent auctions, and recognizing members with awards. As I do every year, I will now write about this year’s finalists and winners.

Small Business of the Year:
Can Can Wonderland
As with so many older buildings in the Midway, 755 Prior Ave was converted from an old manufacturing space to new uses. While there are still items getting made there, the building also provides entertainment opportunities such as Blackstack Brewing. But the one that started it all was Can Can Wonderland. Led by Rob Clapp’s vision, he converted the space into a mini golf course that doubles as art exhibits, found a home for many old arcade games, and created a fun place to check out live music and more onstage. Clapp didn’t stop there, either, as he has also found creative uses for other older buildings in Saint Paul. Runners up: The Hive Socially Responsible Realtors, TST Creative Catering

Large Business of the Year: Ideal Printers
Ideal Printers has been in operation since 1979, and for years has been run by the original founders’ two daughters, Joan Siewert-Cardona and Lana Siewert-Olson, and their husbands. True to a locally-owned businesses’ roots, the company was founded when Howard Siewert was annoyed at his employer’s habit of favoring larger clients over the needs of the smaller businesses. So Howard set out to give clients a more “ideal” experience. Ideal has also been a major supporter of the Midway Chamber, especially in helping with our annual celebration. A member of the Ideal Printers team, Pam Bintzler, has been very active with the Midway Chamber and serves on many chamber committees. Runners up: Associated Bank, Blaze Credit Union

Nonprofit of the Year: My Very Own Bed
Michael Allen was working in social services when he realized how many children had poor sleeping conditions, and in 2014, he founded My Very Own Bed. They have now grown and helped provide over 8,500 beds and Dream Kits to children between 2-17 years old. In addition to mattresses, My Very Own Bed helps children acquire sheets, blankets, pillows, a mattress pad, a stuffed animal, and a book. Part of the importance to improved sleeping conditions is the direct link to health sleep and improvement in all aspects of a child’s life. Runners up: HandsOn Twin Cities, Our Lady of Peace

Rookie of the Year: Mighty Consulting
When the Midway Chamber was looking for help in creating a strategic plan in 2023, they hired Mighty Consulting. Led by Melissa Martinez-Sones, the process was organized and fun for participants, with board members and staff feeling like the work made a difference. For Melissa, it was fun to work on a project so close to home as she’s been a Midway resident ever since she went to school at Hamline University. And the Midway Chamber isn’t the only local client for Mighty Consulting, as they have worked with several nonprofits in and near the Midway. Runnersup: Cady Business Technologies, Jersey Mike’s

Volunteer of the Year: Tesha Christensen
Yes, that’s right! The owner and editor of the Monitor is also our Volunteer of the Year. Tesha does a lot for the Midway Chamber, including taking photographs at many events and promoting our work and programming through the newspaper. She is also our Ambassador Committee Chair and sits on the board of directors and our communications committee. Her dedication to the Midway Chamber is also a sign of her dedication to the Midway community in general, and has helped her become an expert on what’s happening around the neighborhood. Runners up: Justin Borrell, Jeff Hart
The Midway Chamber and our business community wouldn’t be where we are without the support of so many dedicated individuals and organizations who help build a stronger Midway.