First-ever Bowie business awards take the cake By ANNETTE ESTERHELD Staff Writer
More than 11 years ago a pastry chef named Gregg Sinkovic and his wife Gail decided to open a bakery in Gail's hometown of Bowie. That shop, The Cakery, located in the rear of Hilltop Plaza, has been a resounding success ever since, drawing repeat customers locally and from around the region.
Friday, The Cakery was named Bowie's business of the year at the first Business Appreciation Luncheon held at Belair Mansion. The event and the awards were sponsored by the city's Economic Development Committee and the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce.
Along with The Cakery, Dr. Marie Therese Oyalowo's company, Comcare Pharmacy, located at Bowie Town Center since 2001, was named small business of the year. Bob Thompson of the Old Bowie Town Grille was selected as the entrepreneur of the year for his investment and dedication to Old Bowie and St. John Properties was honored with a community services award.
The awards were presented by Bowie Mayor Fred Robinson, Prince George's County Councilwoman Ingrid Turner and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, who was the speaker for the luncheon.
In a brief speech, Franchot gave what he called a "broad-range" look at what his office does. "We enforce the tax laws in a fair-handed manner," he said. He also said his office looks at noncompliance with the tax code with both individuals and businesses.
"Noncompliance creates a not level playing field," he said. He noted that since September 2007 his office has sent listings of delinquent Maryland taxes to the Internal Revenue Service every week and that he works with the IRS to collect those taxes which he said amounts to an average of $50,000 a week.
"We're on track to get $25 million," said Franchot, who said he views his job "not as tax collector, but as fiscal manager."
He briefly discussed the slots vote that will be part of the general election Nov. 4. He said in spite of the temporary downturn of the economy and the challenges with that, that authorizing 15,000 slot machines would be a mistake for Maryland.
Franchot said he believes voters will vote against slots. "I'm here to tell you emphatically they're not going to win," he said.
Robinson also told the group that there are "many issues facing the community" and that he personally is pleased that Bowie's economy is strong. He pointed to a local tax base that's increased from $1 billion in 1998 to $5 billion in 2008.
"You and your business colleagues helped make that happen," he told the luncheon guests that included business people and politicians.
Turner said that the Bowie businesses are "such an important part of the community."
"Together we can do so much," she said.
During the awards ceremony, Franchot interjected a personal note when he shook hands with Edward St. John, founder and president of St. John Properties.
He called St. John a "key philanthropist in Baltimore" and said he was meeting St. John for the first time at the luncheon.
St. John Properties was awarded the community service award for being a business that has demonstrated throughout the year a strong record of involvement in the Bowie community. In 1998 St. John established the Edward St. John Foundation to provide long-term investment in the communities the companies serve. EDC member Boyd Campbell, who presented the business awards, said the foundation is "rooted in the belief that education has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities."
In Bowie the foundation has provided over $3.5 million in cash contributions and an additional $3.4 million in-kind contributions helping such projects as the Bowie High School sports complex, Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, Bowie State University and the Nash Property, owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
"Bob Thompson was selected as entrepreneur of the year for his investment and dedication to Old Town Bowie," Campbell said. He said not only has Thompson located his restaurant in Old Bowie, but he relocated his company, Netsys America, and moved his family there.
"He believes in the revitalization of this part of the city and has done his part to promote the economic development of Old Town Bowie," Campbell said.
Oyalowo was unable to accept her award personally and instead sent her husband, Tunde Oyalowo. The couple has been residents of Bowie for 18 years. She is involved in career days at local schools and hosts educational days at her pharmacy on a regular basis.
"She believes in educating her customers and the public, promotes children's programs and supports the Bowie Boys and Girls Club and her church," said Campbell.
Greg Sinkovic may be the pastry chef at The Cakery, but his wife, who serves as bakery manager, is a graduate of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and worked at some of the finest hotels in the D.C. area.
"Strong support from the local community and favorable reviews have helped The Cakery," said Campbell. He noted that Sinkovic's pastry training included instruction from a former White House pastry chef.
"We hope this will be the first of many business recognition events," EDC Chairman Ed Leyden said.
