Ceresso Fort works both the back office and the ring at the SIR Boxing Club seven days a week, often for 12 hours a day. But the discipline he imparts to the young men and women who gravitate to the Arcade Street boxing facility can’t just be measured in upper cuts and body blows.

Fort and his wife, former newscaster-turned-documentarian Georgia Fort, were honored by the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday for running the all-ages fitness center that caters as much to the mind as the body.

“They teach life skills such as dedication, commitment, hard work and persistence, which will benefit the individual boxers and our community for years to come,” said St. Paul City Council Member Kassim Busuri, introducing the SIR Boxing owners as the winners of the People’s Choice category at the annual St. Paul Business Awards.

“I work with a lot of youth, a lot of kids,” said Ceresso Fort, who thanked his wife, daughter, father, grandmother and mother-in-law for all helping out. “This is bigger than boxing. I’m more, I say, of a life coach. A lot of my coaches in my gym are life coaches. The teens, they come, and they’ve got so many different questions.”

FOUR BUSINESSES HONORED

For the third year running, the St. Paul City Council recognized four St. Paul businesses for their superior service and dedication to community. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges that included former winners and business advisers — the Neighborhood Development Alliance, Wet Paint artists’ materials and framing, Eyes All Over eye care, Securian Financial, Tongue in Cheek restaurant, the Hmong Elders Center and and the Highland Business Association.

A. Johnson & Sons Florist at 1738 Grand Ave. was recognized in the “Traditions” category, which honors a business that has been active in St. Paul for at least 20 years. The florists, now in their fourth generation, have operated a family-run shop on Grand Avenue since 1936. The store donates 10 percent of its sales to good causes, and proprietor Tom Johnson has been involved in the local district council and other civic efforts.

“It’s really fun to see us go on and become a legacy,” Johnson told the council. “We also have a lot of customers that are second- and third-generation.”

Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery at 445 Smith Ave. N. won the “New Kid on the Block” category, which recognizes a business that opened in St. Paul within the Past five years. After a historic building restoration that took five years, Tom Schroeder opened the brewery and restaurant in a former German lager saloon that dates back to 1857 — six months before Minnesota became a state.

Schroeder thanked city staff and former City Council Member Dave Thune, who helped him navigate 14 public hearings and rewrite city code to allow a commercial use within a historic building on a residential street. “Dave, without your support, we would not have opened,” Schroeder said. Related Articles Inspectors checked MN bars and restaurants for COVID compliance. Just over half were OK.

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Brake Bread at 1174 West Seventh St. won the “Good Neighbor” award, which honors a business that shows a dedication to improving the community. The bakery and cafe, which opened in 2014, uses local ingredients and delivers baked bread to subscribers by bicycle. Owners Nate Houge and Micah Taylor frequently participate in charitable fundraisers and offer a “Share the Loaf” program where subscribers can buy bread for others.

Information on how to nominate a business for recognition is online at stpaul.gov/bizawards.