Watermark, LGBTQ organizations among Good ‘Burger Awards finalists

ABOVE: The 6th annual Good ‘Burger Awards at State Theatre Aug. 30, 2018. Photo by Ryan Williams-Jent.

The St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce has announced its list of finalists for the seventh annual Good ‘Burger Awards, including Watermark Publishing Group which has been nominated as a cool small company.

A “Good ‘Burger” refers to a business, organization or individual in the greater St. Petersburg area that makes a positive impact in the community,” the chamber explains. The awards are named in honor of a former mayor who referred to his citizens as “burgers,” as in “St. Petersburgers.”

Voting began July 22 and goes through Aug. 16.  Voters are tasked with selecting one nominee from 10 categories: Arts & Culture; Community Conscious—Grassroots and Large; Cool Companies—Small and Large; Eats & Treats; Hot Spots & Hangouts; Makers & Creators; New Biz on the Block and Most Valuable ‘Burger. Voters can also participate in an eleventh category, People’s Choice, to nominate a Good ‘Burger who didn’t make the list.

Finalists include a number of LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly businesses, organizations and individuals. Arts & Culture lists American Stage, Imagine Museum and freeFall Theatre company; Community Conscious: Grassroots lists the Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center and Project No Labels; Cool Companies: Large lists The Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Rowdies; New Biz on the Block includes Dr. BBQ and Cool Companies: Small lists Watermark.

“I can’t say enough how proud I am of the team at Watermark on a daily basis, and how proud we are to list St. Pete among the places we call home,” Watermark owner, publisher and editor Rick Claggett says. “Being considered as a cool company by the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce is exciting and humbling. We are celebrating 25 years of representing and informing the LGBTQ community and Watermark is honored to be considered for this recognition.”

For more information about the awards and to cast your vote, click here. A full list of finalists can be found below and the winners will be announced at the seventh annual Good ‘Burger Awards Aug. 29.

Arts & Culture

American Stage Theatre Company
Fred Astaire Dance Studios St. Petersburg North
freeFall Theatre Company
From Mayan Hands Gallery
Imagine Museum
Morean Arts Center
Sunscreen Film Festival
The Florida Holocaust Museum
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
The Palladium

Community Conscious: Grassroots

A Path to Wellness
EDGE Business District Association
Heels to Heal
Junior League of St. Petersburg
LGBTQ Welcome Center
My Hope Chest
Project No Labels
Ready for Life
St. Pete Eco-Village
Voices of Hope for Aphasia
Community Conscious: Large
211 Tampa Bay Cares, Inc.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg
Girls Inc of Pinellas
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services
PARC
Pinellas County Urban League
Radiant Church
Ronald McDonald House Charities Tampa Bay
UMCM Suncoast

Cool Companies: Large

Ceridian
Duke Energy – Small and Medium Business Solutions
Jabil
Kobie
Progressive
St. Anthony’s Hospital
The Tampa Bay Rays & Rowdies
UPC Insurance
USF St. Petersburg

Cool Companies: Small 

Barkett Realty
Callyo
Compass Land & Title
iSOCRATES LLC
Marion’s
Modern Business Associates
The Body Electric Yoga Company
The HOTH
The Symphony Agency
Thrive Law, P.A
Watermark Publishing Group

Eats & Treats 

ANNEX 400 Beach
Bonefish Grill
Fresh Kitchen
Noble Crust
Pipo’s To Go
Rawkstar Café
Rococo Steak
Saké 23
Sea Salt St. Pete
The Hangar Restaurant

Hot Spots & Hangouts 

Black Crow Coffee Co.
Green Bench Brewing Co.
Ichicoro Ane
MacDinton’s Irish Pub
Nova 535 Unique Event Space
Paul’s Landing
St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club
The Birchwood
The Galley: A St. Pete Tavern
The Studio@620

Makers & Creators

Bowls for Good
Cheers Events Inc
Craft Tee
Florida CraftArt
Maxey-Fisher, PLLC
Salt Palm Development
St. Pete Life Magazine
St. Petersburg Arts Alliance
Valspar Championship
Wannemaker Jensen Architects

MVB (Most Valuable ‘Burger)

Bridgette Bello
Brooks Wallington
Cherrye Baker
Dr. Harris Ambush
Gina Wilkins
Kate Bauer-Jones
Kendra Marolf
Lael Arango
Lawrence Parker
Raymond M. Blacklidge
Sarah Guest
Wendy Wesley

New Biz on the Block 

Dr. BBQ
Healthy Hemp Outlet
IM Possible Personal Training
Pacific Counter
Stoneweg
Suncoast Developers Guild
The Merchant – Purveyor of Local Goods
The Refillery St. Pete
The UPS Store at 740 4th St. N.
Trophy Fish