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Fourteen 14 Food Company co-owner Ozzy Azzi receives the 2022 Downtowner of the Year award. Photo courtesy Grande Prairie Downtown Association
By Jeff Henson
DOWNTOWN AWARDS

Downtown Association hands out yearly awards

Feb 23, 2023 | 7:00 AM

The Grande Prairie Downtown Association has presented it’s two yearly awards that recognize outstanding achievements by its members.

The Downtowner of the Year for 2022 is Fourteen 14 Food Company.

Among the things co-owners Ozzy Azzi and Fisnik Veliu were recognized for were placing coolers of water, freezies, juice, and Gatorade outside of their business last summer for passers-by to take free of charge.

They also started a trend of leaving water dishes outside for animals during the summer, something that was picked up by other businesses as well.

They were also singled out for purchasing pitchers of lemonade made by children at their lemonade stands, with the proceeds going to Bandaged Paws.

Fourteen 14 also helped out with a number of events, including the “Everybody Eats” program for the vulnerable population, and the Hungry for Laughs comedy night.

Sheldon Dietz of Blackstone Place accepts the 2022 Art Ouellette Memorial Award. Photo courtesy Grande Prairie Downtown Association

Meanwhile, the Art Ouellette Memorial Award – which recognizes beautification and customer service excellence – was given to Blackstone Place, also known as the former Co-operators building.

Owners Jordan and Colten Sirois were honoured for their extensive facade improvements, and their continued commitment to offering office space for lease, even while the Downtown Revitalization and Street Scape project was taking place in front of their building over the past two years.

by Jeff Henson