LAWRENCE: Awards presented to local businesses

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   Some new businesses, as well as some business stalwarts, were honored by the Lawrence Township Growth and Redevelopment Committee at the 14th annual Economic Development Awards ceremony Wednesday morning at the Quaker Bridge Mall.
   Linda Benedetto, the general manager at the Quaker Bridge Mall, welcomed the group. The mall is undergoing a renovation project that is intended to transform it, she said. The mall is owned by the Simon Property Group, which is a Fortune 100 company.
   Scott Scungio, whose Camden-based company is the general contractor for the Quaker Bridge Mall renovation, outlined some of the work that has been undertaken. New floors, ceilings and entrances are on tap, he said.
   But no project would be complete without the little surprises that accompany them. Mr. Scungio said that when construction crews began work on the Cheesecake Factory addition, they discovered rock underneath and had to blast. The new restaurant, which is on the western side of the mall, opened its doors several weeks ago.
   And marketing manager Marian Kapp showed a short slide presentation that traced the Quaker Bridge Mall through the years — beginning with the Space Port in 1987, which was a video arcade for children.
   Other slides showed the movie theater that was located where Lenscrafters has its store now, and the former food court in the middle of the mall. The new food court will seat about 500 people, Ms. Kapp said, adding that “we are really excited about the changes.”
   Turning to the awards, Growth and Redevelopment Committee member John Conroy presented the Ralph Copleman Environmental Award to Bristol Myers-Squibb Co for its environmental initiatives, including its contributions — financial and in-kind — toward the Lawrence Hopewell Trail bicycle and pedestrian path.
   Sue Voigt, who is Bristol Myers-Squibb Co.’s vice president of environment, health, safety and sustainability, accepted the award on behalf of the pharmaceutical company. She noted that the company had also contributed to Sustainable Lawrence, whose first executive director was Mr. Copleman.
   The Residential Award was given to PRD Management, which assumed the day-to-day management of the Eggerts Crossing Village affordable housing townhouse development on Johnson Avenue, off Eggerts Crossing Road. It assumed management after the retirement of manager Fred Vereen Jr.
   Company president Jim McGrath accepted the award, which was given to PRD Management in recognition of its beautification and maintenance efforts. Residents of the 100-unit development offered input in how they wanted to beautify the community and select outdoor benches, for example.
   The New Building/Renovation Award went to ASI Contractor Supply, which remodeled the former Biddle Trucking Co. building on Whitehead Road, near the Trenton Freeway. The building has become an attractive ratable.
   The New Small Business Award was given to Lauren Sabogal, who opened Button’s Creperie at the Trenton Farmers Market on Spruce Street. Ms. Sabogal said the location at the Trenton Farmers Market is convenient, because she uses locally grown produce in her food offerings.
   Celsion Corporation, which is a pharmaceutical company that focuses on creating cancer-fighting drugs, was awarded the New Large Business Award. It relocated from Maryland, leasing office space on Lenox Drive, which is off Princeton Pike.
   There were two winners of the Business Service Award — Morgan Stanley, and St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center. The financial industry firm was honored for its employees’ volunteer efforts, which range from the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen to Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA represents children in foster care.
   St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center helps to fund the annual Safety Town program, which is offered by Lawrence Township. Children learn how to ride their bicycle safely, as well as how to ride on the school bus.
   The Podmore/Dwyer Historic Award went to Rider University history professor Brooke Hunter, who was honored for her research on slavery and abolition in Lawrence Township during the 18th and 19th centuries. She has shared the results of her work with the Lawrence Historical Society as a guest speaker at the society’s annual Mary Tanner Lecture.
   And the Mayor’s Award for Economic or Community Development, which recognizes the winner’s efforts on behalf of the community, was given to Womanspace Inc. The nonprofit group, which helps victims of domestic violence and has been located in Lawrence since 1985, renovated a building on Brunswick Avenue, near the Brunswick Circle.