2012 "Spirit of Beverly Main Streets" Awards Announced

Each year, Beverly Main Streets board of directors nominates businesses or organizations that exemplify the spirit of Beverly Main Streets - those who work to make downtown Beverly a great place to live, work, create, invest and experience. This year, we had many nominees who are each, in their own unique ways, making downtown better. At our Annual Meeting at Montserrat College of Art on October 18, we were proud to announce the three winners of the "Spirit of Beverly Main Streets" awards: Oceanview Assisted Living, Robert D. Murphy Associates and Studios at Porter Mill. We were also proud to recognize two nominees, Deborah Coull of Aveda Salon and Pam Hulbert of Plum Consignment.

Oceanview Assisted Living was awarded because the residents and employees support and partner with the downtown and Beverly Main Streets in so many ways. As an organization, they volunteer their time, energy and expertise on our committees and participate in many of the initiatives underway with the downtown. Thank you to Steve Galante, the Executive Director and Gayle Cote, the Marketing Director, for their dedicated work on our committees. As a community, the staff engages and supports the senior residents and their families in using the assets downtown, the restaurants, churches, stores and much more. As neighbors, they are good citizens, mindful, and responsible and take pride in the presentation and maintenance of their beautiful facility.

Robert D. Murphy Associates was awarded because Pat and Bob Murphy are the kind of independent business owners that make downtowns special. They are actively involved in making our downtown better. As property owners, they pay special attention to the appearance of their building. Regardless of how busy they are at work, they approach each volunteer opportunity with enthusiasm. They support BMS financially and sponsor our events. Pat’s leadership on the Board of Directors has had a direct impact on our recent successes as an organization and we are better for her thoughtful advice and wise counsel. 

Studios at Porter Mill was awarded because manager Bea Modisett, along with owner Ted Richard, represent a commitment to Beverly and the Downtown 2020 initiative to revitalize our downtown while engaging others, both within and outside the community, in diverse and creative endeavors. The Studios at Porter Mill has brought over fifty artists together on four floors while retaining a first floor exhibition space. The buzz that has been created with new and exciting exhibitions, lectures, master classes and demonstrations has revitalized the area and showcased the downtown area as a cultural mecca for artists. The building has been refurbished while retaining its historic origins. Residential units within the building provide unique work/live spaces accessible to all downtown amenities while commercial spaces in the building provide services for residents and the community.

These businesses go the extra mile in attracting new customers, taking pride in their properties, making customers feel welcome and offering unique experiences that we all enjoy. Congratulations to all!

For more information about Beverly Main Streets, visit www.beverlymainstreets.org.