Olivette Economic Development Commission honors local businesses with annual awards

The Olivette City Economic Development Commission honored local businesses and nonprofit partners at a ceremony recognizing the winners of its Business of the Year and Restaurant of the Year awards and introducing a new Commissioner’s Choice Award.

Dawn, a city staff member, described the selection process, saying the commission used a community survey for the Business and Restaurant of the Year awards and chose the Commissioner’s Choice Award internally. "80% of your economic development efforts should be on retaining businesses," Dawn said, explaining why the commission emphasized recognizing existing local businesses.

The winners spoke about operations and community roles. Dan Schultz, owner of Fallon’s Irish Bar and Grill, said the restaurant has operated 16 years in Olivette and emphasizes from-scratch cooking and "old school hospitality." Schultz said Fallon’s opened a second location in Ellisville in 2019 and described popular menu items, naming wings and fish and chips and noting a large Irish-whiskey selection of about "80, 85" varieties. He also said Fallon’s offers two private event rooms in the back of the restaurant.

Michelle Sorter, executive director of The Bridge (referred to in the ceremony as Mary Starkey Bridal), described the nonprofit’s two-part service model: periodic thrift-store hours for the public and "dignified shopping experiences" by referral for families in crisis. Sorter said The Bridge gave away about 26,000 items in 2023 and more than 50,000 items in 2024. She said the organization partners with local nonprofits to verify need and that the biggest donation needs are casual men’s clothing, boys’ clothing, small furniture and kitchen items. Sorter said donations can be dropped off Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and urged people to follow the Bridge on social media at "bridalstl" for thrift-store dates.

Scott Campbell, owner of the UPS Store in Olivette, told attendees his customer base is roughly split between residential and small-business customers and that nearby retail development, including Target and other stores, has increased returns and package volume for his location. He said the store provides a private street address service many customers use to avoid missed deliveries.

Commission members and attendees asked follow-up questions during the meeting. One audience member noted Fallon’s private event space and encouraged greater public awareness; Sorter and others provided the Bridge’s address (1344 Bauer) and donation logistics when asked. No formal motions or votes were recorded during the ceremony.

The awards ceremony highlighted retention-focused economic development work and local businesses’ roles in community services, from hospitality and shipping to nonprofit clothing redistribution. Organizers said they plan to continue the commission’s bimonthly work on business retention and recognition.