MONROE — A unique and sweet-smelling Monroe-based business has been recognized by a statewide organization as a “Best Business Success Story.”
Zodica Perfumery based in downtown Monroe, took home the award from the Wisconsin Main Street 31st annual awards, with a ceremony announcing the winners held recently in Fond du Lac.
This best-business success story award, according to the organization, recognizes a business “that has achieved substantial success in the Main Street district, as measured by business growth or expansion, business influence and reputation, business longevity, successful ownership transition, achievement over adversity, or other innovative business practices.”
Wisconsin Main Street is a community development program administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation that targets Wisconsin’s historic commercial districts. WEDC provides technical support and training to the 34 Main Street communities. Main Street Monroe has been part of the Wisconsin Main Street Program since 2005.
“WEDC congratulates Main Street Monroe for its outstanding efforts to revitalize and improve downtown,” said Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO of WEDC, which works with Main Street organizations. “A vibrant downtown is critical to a community’s overall economic development as well as the quality of life for its residents, and we commend Main Street Monroe for being among the best in the state when it comes to strengthening its downtown.”
Main Street Monroe is a nonprofit program whose mission is to “improve the quality of life for all Monroe residents” by ensuring economic stability, maintaining historic integrity and making Monroe’s downtown the focal point of the community.
“This is truly what it is all about. Local businesses, historic preservation, volunteer efforts,” said Jordan Nordby, executive director of Main Street Monroe, in a statement. “Everything celebrated at the state level is an amazing reflection of Monroe and why so many love it.”
Launched in 2016, Zodica is a “small-batch” line of fragrances sold and made in downtown Monroe — on the south side of the historic square. Uniquely inspired by the zodiac signs, the company’s own perfumes were developed using national blind studies that “showed a correlation between scent preferences and the time of the year you were born.”
Zodica products, the company says, have reached over 30,000 customers and are sold by such retailers as Macy’s, QVC, Free People, hundreds of locally owned boutiques across the country; and online business. Kristi was just named to Forbes Next 1000 list.
Other local winners include Sunrise Donut Café — owned by Kevin and Kelsey Visel — who received honorable mention for best façade restoration.
Monroe’s Steve Moon also was recognized by the State Main Street organization as a volunteer of the year in 2021.This category, organizers say, recognizes the individual who contributed the most to Main Street programs over the past year.
Moon is one of only 17 volunteers across Wisconsin who were recognized.
He joined the board of directors in 2019 and currently serves as board president. Under Moon, Main Street Monroe achieved 100% board giving for the first time in its 17-year history. He also helped establish an endowment fund for the organization.