RIVER FALLS – The River Falls Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau invited members to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments with a “Currents and Connections” themed annual dinner Thursday, Feb. 12 at Kilkarney Hills Golf Course. The evening celebrated “the powerful momentum of the local economy and the vital professional relationships that sustain the community.”

“You make River Falls what it is - a community where individuals and businesses come together to provide the best for each other through conversation, connection, and collaboration. You are helping River Falls thrive to be its best and we are honored to be part of that effort,” said Chamber CEO Rosa Magnus.

Magnus took the reigns as the chamber’s CEO last spring, alongside Marketing & Communications Manager Rillie Bartz and Events & Member Engagement Manager Collin Geraghty.

The event brought together business leaders, nonprofit advocates, and dedicated citizens for a night of networking and recognition, culminating in the live reveal of the 2025 award winners.

2025 Large Business of the Year

River Falls Golf Club is the 2025 Large Business of the Year. Tony and Holly Bloom run the golf club with their family. According to their website, they have a passion for golf, instilling the values of hard work and community in their children and a commitment to family-oriented values.

“A pillar of River Falls since 1929, this family run business is focused on preserving and energizing RFGC through community involvement, personalized service, and being a family friendly atmosphere,” a news release states. “Recent changes have modernized the clubhouse and improved the golf course with goals of creating great experiences for golf, weddings, banquets, celebrations, and events. RFGC takes great pride in supporting local businesses and musicians, and charitably supporting nonprofits through meat raffles, banquets, and golf round donations. They also help to grow and introduce the sport through hosting junior golf events and programs like the River Falls Parks and Recreation Youth Golf Camp, along with being the home course to River Falls High School and the UWRF Falcons.”

Other finalists in the category included River Falls State Bank and Security Financial Bank. Their descriptions read:Bottom of Form

“A cornerstone of the community since 1949, River Falls State Bank recently celebrated 75 years of service with a modernized remodel of their Second Street branch to better serve their customers. The bank is a vital partner to local traditions, specifically ensuring the success of River Falls Days by sponsoring the visiting marching bands and the annual community Duck Race. Their commitment to the city is further reflected in their exceptional employee stability and their team's active volunteerism at Chamber events and local non-profits.

“A fixture in River Falls for over 15 years, Security Financial Bank recently completed a full remodel of its local branch to create a modernized, welcoming environment for both clients and staff. SFB distinguishes itself through exceptional employee stability, successfully retaining its entire frontline teller and specialist team over the last two years while fostering a culture that encourages staff to volunteer during work hours. The bank remains deeply integrated into the community through expanded partnerships with organizations like the River Falls Chamber and Habitat for Humanity, with team members actively volunteering at every Chamber event.”

2025 Small Business of the Year

The Garage Bikes + Brews took home the trophy for the 2025 Small Business of the Year. Owned by “townies” Matt and Stephanie Johnson, they opened the brewery and bike shop after purchasing the former Behrens Auto Body Shop next to the old Cedar Street bridge in 2019. They serve 21 varieties of tap beer, including their flagship beers and an ever-changing rotation of seasonal brews. The chamber described the business as “a vibrant community hub that blends local craft beverages and live music with a passion for cycling. The shop promotes local fitness and inclusivity through weekly group bike rides for all skill levels and provides essential e-bike education for community members, police, and city council. Beyond its storefront, the business is deeply committed to local causes, spearheading fundraisers like the ‘$15,000 bike for Rudesill’ and consistently supporting Wildcat sports teams.”

Other finalists in this category included Blooms for Happiness, That Girl Brie and WonderWorks Theatre.

Blooms for Happiness has experienced rapid growth since opening in 2022 under the leadership of Tiffany Dux, expanding from a 350-square-foot starter space to a thriving 1,300-square-foot location on Commerce Court, with an additional storefront recently opened in Hudson.

“This innovative florist is deeply embedded in the community, donating over $12,000 to local non-profits through their ‘Buds Blooms’ program and hand-delivering hundreds of ‘Santa Sacks’ and ‘Love Boxes; to area senior homes each year,” a news release states.

Brie Rehak founded That Girl Brie in 2021 after a career pivot, successfully transforming a side-hustle into a sustainable, multifaceted business with a flagship retail location on Cascade Avenue. The business is a key contributor to the downtown ecosystem, sourcing fresh curds directly from the UWRF dairy plant and collaborating with local partners like Harmony Cheese to create a custom, branded cheese line. Beyond its retail success, That Girl Brie provides high-quality catering for Chamber networking events and offers a platform for other small businesses to showcase products.

Since opening in September 2024, WonderWorks Theatre has become a vibrant arts hub in downtown River Falls, welcoming over 241 students and 186 local families through its doors for classes, workshops, and camps. The studio, led by former teacher Ashley Steiner, recently moved into a modernized Main Street performance space featuring a newly built stage and monthly thematic play areas. Beyond its curriculum, WonderWorks hosts free holiday events like "Elf Meet & Greets" and partners with local nonprofits and businesses to ensure the performing arts remain accessible to all River Falls families.

2025 Nonprofit of the Year

Our Neighbors’ Place’s Executive Director Shelly Smith accepted the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year award. ONP provides a critical safety net for residents in Pierce and St. Croix counties by providing transitional housing, a day center for basic needs, and a thrift store that offers free clothing vouchers. In 2024, the nonprofit delivered over 4,200 bags of groceries through its Backpack Program and launched the Helping Hands Fund to assist people with urgent costs like daycare and vehicle registration.

Currently nearing a $2.3 million capital campaign goal, the organization is preparing to move into a modernized facility that will centralize its services under one roof.

River Falls Lions Club, a nonprofit finalist, improves the community by providing essential services such as vision testing for school children and financial aid for area shelters. As a primary champion of city spirit, the club spearheads the annual Easter Egg Hunt and the signature Duck Race to raise critical funds for community outreach. They consistently support youth programs like Camp Needlepoint and maintain the city's beauty through active participation in park maintenance and highway cleanup programs.

River Falls Moose Lodge 594, another nonprofit finalist, serves as a vital community hub that provides essential meeting space for youth groups like 4-H and Girl Scouts. The Lodge is a key contributor to local security and wellness, regularly donating to the food shelf and hosting weekly Zumba classes to promote community health; the organization strengthens local bonds by hosting popular family traditions such as the Rocky Branch Breakfast with Santa and the Taste of River Falls.

2025 Citizen of the Year

The 2025 Citizen of the Year is Sheri Carlson, a Chamber Ambassador who “consistently goes above and beyond to promote local small businesses and support civic initiatives.” Besides working at Citizens State Bank, she volunteers countless hours, is known for her proactive leadership and taking charge of complex projects. She has been involved with Power of 100 Women since 2018, volunteers at numerous chamber events and with the River Falls Business Leaders group. She also sits on the SCV Big Brothers Big Sisters advisory board and enjoys helping nonprofits with their fundraising efforts.

Carlson said she felt honored and overwhelmed by her win.

“I am deeply grateful for this honor and truly humbled to be included among both of these men,” Carlson said. “River Falls has given me so much support and friendships.”

Other finalists included Kevin Westhuis and Michael Van Someren.

Westhuis is known for bringing his energy to local athletics as an announcer and ballpark volunteer. Through his "Man Up Movement," he has successfully directed nearly $80,000 back into the community, providing critical support for local education, families in need, and various charitable organizations. He has also online access to local events, ensuring that all families can watch important moments even when they can’t be there in person.

VanSomeren is a tireless advocate for inclusivity who has transformed his personal experiences into the "Doorbell Campaign," an initiative that helps downtown businesses become more accessible to those with mobility challenges. Beyond his work with the Accessibility Awareness initiative, he volunteers extensively for community gardens, school supply drives, and local food donations to support those in need. He works daily to ensure that every citizen feels welcomed and valued in River Falls.

Chamber Champion

The City of River Falls was designated as the 2025 Chamber Champion.

“Whether it is the Public Works and Utility departments working early hours to ensure our infrastructure is ready, or the Parks and Recreation team maintaining the beautiful spaces that host our events—their role is absolutely indispensable,” the news release states. “We see it in the meticulous work of Licensing and Administration, and we feel it in the 'behind-the-scenes' dedication of our Police and Fire Departments who keep our festivals and our citizens safe. From the strategic support of our initiatives to the shared vision of keeping River Falls a premier destination to live, work, and do business, they don't just clear the path for us; they walk it with us. We are two organizations with one single heartbeat: the prosperity of River Falls. We simply could not achieve the scale of impact we do or provide the quality of life our members enjoy, without their unwavering support, their vast resources, and their genuine friendship.”