RiverCenter Hands Out Annual Awards

The goal of the Red Bank RiverCenter is to promote the borough’s downtown and its businesses. On Monday, the organization honored the efforts of those who have spent the last year doing the same.

On the second floor of , the RiverCenter held is annual meeting, a less business, more celebration kind of affair that included award recognition to those who have benefited the downtown. The awards have been handed out by the organization for the past 20 years.

Chris Paseka, co-owner of cupcake bakery , was given the Ambassador Award because of his commitment to promoting downtown Red Bank and his charitable efforts, which included organizing the recent cancer fundraiser along with , RiverCenter Executive Director Nancy Adams said.

Pauline Poyner, a local realtor whose donation helps fund Red Bank’s holiday horse-drawn carriage rides, was given the Community Partner Award and Debbie Marks was awarded RiverCenter’s Community Partner honor.

The award ceremony also recognizes the efforts of business owners or organizations that have improved the look of their buildings. This year, the , which made significant updates to its façade, including replacing its marquee with one with led screens, and , which converted a former garage into a pay-what-you-can restaurant, were honored with Visual Improvement Awards.

“I always equate it to any house in a neighborhood. If you allow your property to deteriorate it negatively impacts everyone around you,” she said. “To the same token if you maintain your property and make improvements, it has a dramatic positive impact on the community.”