South Portland gears up for annual business awards, revives Business of the Month program

The South Portland Economic Development Department will host its 10th annual Business Awards next month and recently revived its Business of the Month program.

“I think it was something that was at the forefront for the committee, wanting to not just recognize businesses once a year,” said Lea Duffy, an economic development specialist with the department. “We have over 1,500 active businesses in the city. How can we more efficiently and effectively recognize that diversity?”

So the Business of the Month award was revived, and Second Rodeo, a coffee shop at 124 Sawyer St., was named January’s Business of the Month by the Economic Development Committee last week.

As a touring musician for years, Lana Kooney said she spent a lot of time in coffee shops. After moving to the area five years ago, she started working at one in Portland.

“I discovered the beauty of the community in Portland that comes together around coffee, and I thought, ‘You know, I think I’d like to start my own business that centers around coffee and community,'” Kooney said. “It was always something I thought I would do one day and then one day came.”

Kooney opened Second Rodeo in November, and the local store has already garnered a loyal customer base.

“We didn’t tell anyone we were opening until the night before,” she said. “We put a little story on our Instagram that said ‘tomorrow’ and then we had an amazing crowd the next day … I think having a new place to come and hang out was really exciting for people who live around here.”

The “tremendous response” from the community, Duffy said, was part of the reason the second Rodeo was named Business of the Month.

“People really appreciate the business,” Duffy said. “They recognize the value it brings to the neighborhood they’re in, and I think I wanted to give it a voice in the first two months of operation.”

Testimonials from customers who nominated Second Rodeo, which were shared with Sentry, boasted the business’s great coffee, delicious bites and welcoming atmosphere.

“It’s great to have an inclusive, welcoming and warm cafe in the Ferry Village neighbourhood,” said one. “The coffee is honestly out of this world, the atmosphere inviting and the rotation of pastries and hot meals is very satisfying.”

“(A) new business that is already making waves in the community,” said another. “Great people, great place. (An) absolute gem.”

Kooney said receiving the Business of the Month award for January 2025 is an honor, especially since it only opened its doors three months ago.

“I feel very honored that people nominated us and that we are being seen in that light,” she said.

The Department of Economic Development will host the 10th annual South Portland Business Awards on February 26 at 4:30 pm in the South Portland High School cafeteria.

The Soucy Family of Port Harbor Marine won Business Leaders of the Year; Broadway Bowl was named New Business of the Year; The Santo “Sam” DiPietro Community Impact Award goes to Harbor View Eye; Fork Food Lab was named Business of the Year (over 25 employees); Brickell Brands Takes Home Sustainable Business of the Year; Maker Business of the Year goes to Nate Garrett, Gyotaku Artists; and Small Business of the Year (25 or fewer employees) goes to Coast Care Solutions.

The special Heart of South Portland Award returns this year to celebrate a South Portland institution: Red’s Dairy Freeze.

“The award is reserved for when there is special recognition that speaks to the community,” Duffy said. “Red’s Dairy Freeze is now over 70 years in the community and still family owned. I think those are two really unique factors.”

Duffy noted that the longtime business has been nominated many times in the past, but never came home with a win.

“It just seemed like such an important part and center of the community that the Heart of South Portland seemed like an appropriate award,” Duffy said.

In addition to celebrating this year’s award winners, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine will also be recognized at the ceremony as it celebrates 50 years of operation.

“We definitely encourage people to come out and support these businesses that are so special to our community,” Duffy said.

To learn more about the awards and to register to attend the Feb. 26 awards ceremony, go to southportland.gov/433/business-awards-programs.

Second Rodeo is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7am to 2pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 3pm For more information on the business and to stay tuned for special events, go to secondrodeocoffeeshop.com or follow Second Rodeo on Instagram, @second_rodeo_coffee_maine.

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