DGDC honors Carolina Pine
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on September 25, 2016 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/SETH COMBS
Attendees of the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation's annual awards dinner view a slide show on Friday night at the Goldsboro Event Center.
A game-changer who challenged traditional downtown business concepts was recognized Friday with the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp.'s most prestigious award.
The Carolina Pine Country Store, owned by Kathy Cornelison, captured the DGDC 2016 Outstanding Business of the Year Award. The award was presented during the DGDC annual dinner and awards ceremony, which drew nearly 240 people to the Goldsboro Event Center.
"People can't say enough about this store and the owner, Kathy, for her ambitious, smart business sense," said Elizabeth Rutland, business and property development specialist within the city's Downtown Development Department. "She transformed the interior and exterior of her store and landed a major nationally known brand, Magnolia Homes, causing her to plan a business expansion that will happen this fall."
Julie Metz, DGDC executive director, described Cornelison as persistent in her interest in creating and maintaining a successful business, which draws customers from Goldsboro and beyond. She cast-off traditional theories that a business can't succeed in downtown or gain profit by staying open late or during the summer months, Metz said.
"She has blown all those notions out of the glass ceiling," Metz said. "Through her creative eyes, hard work and great spirit, she converted what was a plain space into something that speaks to her brand and merchandise."
Cornelison has remained committed to the success of downtown as well as her 122 S. Center St. business. She has served on the Downtown Merchants Association and is now a member of the DGDC board, an appointment announced Friday.
"Kathy is an exemplary small business entrepreneur," Rutland said.
The Outstanding Business of the Year Award is presented annually to a business that best embodies the essence of downtown by exhibiting a friendly, attractive and unique business. The winner is also recognized for their support of the community and DGDC, a nonprofit that works to promote downtown development and revitalization.
Other awards were presented during the evening to individuals, business owners and developers playing a role in downtown revitalization.
The DGDC decided this year to present a Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously to Betsy Rosemann, the city of Goldsboro's former travel and tourism director.
"Betsy Rosemann gave over 10 years to downtown and the DGDC board, starting her role as a DGDC board member in September 2005," Metz said. "She never just did her job. She always brought more to it."
Rosemann, who died unexpectedly in May, was recognized for her many efforts to promote downtown and the city. Her daughters were at the ceremony and accepted the award in her honor.
During the evening, 1998 photos of the downtown area were displayed on a projector screen. Metz said it may have been difficult for some to visualize downtown's potential at the time.
"I think it is always important to remember and reflect, to appreciate the efforts by so many of you and the others before you that have collectively made the impossible happen," Metz said. "Who would have thought that the downtown transformation we have and are experiencing would have been possible 10 or 15 years ago?
"We -- all of us here -- have made the impossible happen through a transformational investment that has created a new hope and reality for downtown."
The DGDC awards presented during the ceremony include:
* Best Curb Appeal -- The Peach Boutique, noted for success in promoting the business that is located a block away from the more concentrated retail area on Center Street.
* Best Promotional or Marketing Effort -- the Legacy Dance Group and Dancing Butterfly for their collective effort in creating the first annual Thriller Night.
* Best New Business -- Jay's Sushi and Burger Bar for providing a successful business model to downtown.
* Indicator of the Year -- Blue Yonder Properties for developing John Street properties into apartments and commercial space for the future Goldsboro Brew Works.
* Thank You -- Brig. Gen. Mark Slocum, former commander of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base 4th Fighter Wing, for his efforts in engaging military families in the city and downtown.
* Mary Johnstone Award of Merit for Historic Preservation -- Goldsboro Drug Co., at 101 N. Center St., a property renovated to historic standards into residential and commercial space.
* DGDC Volunteer of the Year -- Tom and Dawn Potter for their constant support of DGDC and downtown events.
* Design Improvement of the Year -- David Ham and Betty Duncan for their efforts in converting 201 S. Center St. into a commercial and residential property.
* DGDC Advocate of the Year -- Viola Figueroa.
* DGDC Board Member of the Year -- Regina Lesnau.
* Outstanding Investor -- Selena and Adrian Worrell for 201 N. Center St., now the headquarters for Worrell Contracting.
* Most Valuable Supporter -- Majestic Photography for its efforts in promoting downtown through photographic images, often used on social media to increase exposure of the area.