BROKEN BOW—Although the business has been around for more than 10 years, a ribbon cutting was held to celebrate Awards & More—formerly known as Shirts, Signs, Mugs, & More—on the square in downtown Broken Bow at 437 South 9th Ave.
The Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce along with Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley celebrated the rebranding of the store with a ribbon cutting and GROW Award on Thursday, August 20.
“The reality is the backbone of the American economy is small business. People like Diane, Art, and Sally and others who step up as entrepreneurs. They’ve got that entrepreneurial spirit to make an investment and then they work really hard to make it all come together and they certainly have at this beautiful little store. There’s so many factors that militate against business but you’ve overcome that and now the COVID thing has thrown another curveball at you but you just go and go and go and you get it done in the Nebraska spirit,” Lt. Gov. Foley said.
Owners Art and Diane Anderson began the business with their grandson Drew Schendt in 2008 to help him with a class project and also utilize Diane’s art and craft talents. The project turned into a business fulfilling a need in the Broken Bow community.
“It’s kind of exciting because we’ve just been here and had something for my wife to do and different things and my grandson. It’s just fun to see the things they make at this store and the progress we’ve made,” Art Anderson said. “We hope it makes money and we can continue to be here for a while!” Diane added.
Awards & More specializes in personalization of awards, plaques, and trophies with custom engraving as well as a variety of other personalized gifts such as shirts, drink wear, photo gifts, school spirit wear, decals, printed banners, and now facemasks too.
Manager Sally Domeier has been with the store for about four years and can help customers find the perfect personalized gift, adding that it was a bit strange to have printed her own GROW Award plaque!
“We do appreciate the support of our local community,” Domeier said.
Chamber Executive Director Deb Kennedy said she appreciates how Awards & More is always looking to expand and work on new ideas.
“Custer Economic Development Corporation and the chamber—we’re just very proud that you’re not okay with just sitting still and being okay with the status quo but you’re always looking towards tomorrow and how you can grow and expand and bring more products to the community,” Kennedy said on August 20.
