Market One has honored businesses, communities, and civic leaders with its sixth annual Market One Awards, held last week in Cassopolis.
Market One’s Julia Rose tells us the event is held each year to celebrate the achievements of standout businesses and forward-thinking municipalities throughout the area. And she says getting all of these leaders together into one room leads to additional benefits.
“We found over the years bringing in all of these professionals, whether from the business side or the community side, really allows for them to network and build new relationships, and we’ve seen value in that new projects come from it, new ideas,” Rose said.
Rose says there were seven awards given out across Van Buren and Cass counties. They include the Business Innovator of the Year Award, which went to St. Julian Winery and Distillery in Paw Paw; the Municipal Trailblazer of the Year Award, which went to the village or Edwardsburg; and the Best New Business of the Year.
“We had CozyTea and Hartford win. And I do have to say that during the awards, it was very special to see a husband and wife duo go up there and receive that award. It’s a big risk to start a new business, especially in today’s economy.”
Rose says all award recipients were present for the event, which attracted more than 200 people. She says it was inspiring to be there as winners expressed their gratitude and shared their stories.
The 2026 Market One Award recipients are:
Community Champion of the Year: Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.
Municipal Trailblazer of the Year: The Village of Edwardsburg
Business Innovator of the Year: St. Julian Winery & Distillery (Paw Paw)
Economic Pioneer of the Year: Special-Lite (Decatur)
Legacy Award: Randall L. Peat (Award also renamed to the ‘Randall L. Peat Legacy Award’)
Best New Business of the Year: CozyTea (Hartford)
Best New Business of the Year Honorable Mention: M2 Real Estate Collective (Mattawan)
