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The Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association held its first Downtown Awards and fundraising celebration June 14. “Dinner on Depot” was held on historic Depot Street in the Fuquay Downtown District with more than 120 guests.

Among the winners of the year was Stick Boy Bread Company. Owners Katie and Josh Dies were awarded 2012 Outstanding Downtown Business of the Year.

A destination spot for both locals and visitors to Fuquay-Varina, Stick Boy has grown exponentially since it opened in 2008 with just six staff members. Now, the business has 25 employees, five of which are full time.

The award comes after winning a Silver Spoon at the SAVOR Fuquay-Varina event in late April and earning Best Bakery in the Fuquay-Varina Independent’s readers’ choice earlier this year.

“This is so encouraging to us,” Katie said about the award. “We feel love from the community and other business owners.”

But, she added, it’s definitely a team award. Stick Boy always has been a collaborative effort between Katie, Josh and all of the staff.

Katie said the staff works incredibly hard every day, putting their best effort forward, and it’s nice to see that it’s noticed.

“God continues to bless us and encourage us,” Katie said.

Susan Weis also was honored with the highest honor of the evening, the New Century Award.

“I think that it has to do with the seven years I worked with the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization.”

She completed the application for the N.C. Main Street Program, exemplifying leadership and vision for the downtown area.

“It’s very humbling, actually,” she said. “I think that award could be filled with all of the names of people that helped Fuquay-Varina’s downtown in the last 10 years.

“I hope I made a difference.”

Read more about Dinner on Depot and the other award winners of the evening in next week’s Fuquay-Varina Independent.