Employees of The Mixing Bowl are joined by members of Vaqueros and Salida chamber director John Engelbrecht for the September Business of the Month Award Friday. They are from left front, Rebekah McCallie, Stephannie Stone, Molly Grether, B.J. Stinnett, and Deana Donahoo. Middle row: Mike Dowdy, Raedell Trueblood, Lisa Glenn, Katy Grether, Lisa Dominguez, Linda Maltas, Susan Williams. Back: John Engelbrecht, Vivian Charmley, Judee Nuechter, Karin Naccarato, Arika Banghart, Art Gentile, John Swartz, Diana Porter, Linda Belinski, Pete Rans and Dan Shuford. Not pictured are: Bob Grether, Elise Hopkins, Cacey Cunningham, Linda Nason and Cheryl Lee.Linda Nason and Cheryl Lee. Photo by Jennifer Denevan

The Mixing Bowl, 148 F St., Salida, received the September Business of the Month award Friday from members of Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce.

The store employs four supervisors, nine sales associates and three consultants. The consultants are in charge of buying products and merchandising.

Katy Grether, co-owner, was joined by employees to accept the award. Her store focuses on selling gourmet kitchenware.

"We try and provide high end quality, state-of-the-art equipment for kitchens and dining rooms," Grether said.

In addition, the Mixing Bowl offers free gift wrapping. Because of the types of products sold, customers tend to purchase items as gifts, Grether said.

What's different about the store, however, is its partnership with Starpoint agency which works with special needs residents. The Mixing Bowl provides work experience for those individuals.

Sales associates are Starpoint clients and are taught fundamentals of retail sales and skills necessary for other employment opportunities.

"Our partnership with Starpoint has been unbelievably gratifying," Grether said.

John Engelbrecht, chamber director, said he and his wife have changed shopping habits because of The Mixing Bowl. They used to go to Denver kitchen stores, but have quit, and do their shopping locally.

"We are proud to honor everyone who works here. It's a rare opportunity to find the combination of superb retail and limitless heart," Engelbrecht said.

Grether said she was honored to receive the award, adding, "I didn't know this day would arrive," she said.

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