Published: 03/10/2022 15:40:32
Modified: 03/10/2022 15:39:59
GREENFIELD — A local business under new management has been named the winner of the Greenfield Business Association’s inaugural window competition, held earlier this year in conjunction with the Centennial Winter Carnival.
“I was so excited, because I really saw us as underdogs,” said Diana Nunez, manager of Smoke Heaven Food and Tobacco Shop at 239 Main St. “I don’t think anyone worked harder than us. … I was constantly trying to get people to vote, and at least come and look out the window so they could vote the way they wanted.
About 650 votes were cast online by visitors, residents and shoppers between Feb. 4 and Feb. 12, with Smoke Heaven emerging as the winner by just 20 votes, according to a press release from the Greenfield Business Association.
“We participated in the showcase competition this year and focused on the 100th anniversary of the Winter Carnival,” Nunez said. “We had hearts and Frosty and lots of lights.”
She said the showcase was the creation of many volunteers. They tried to incorporate winter and Valentine’s Day imagery, as well as draw attention to the 100th anniversary of the Winter Carnival.
Nunez only recently took over management of the boutique, she said. That’s part of the reason she wanted to get involved in the competition this year.
“We’ve been working really hard lately to grow the store from just a smokehouse…and also to be involved in what the community is doing,” Nunez said.
Nunez said she wanted to continue what she thought the former manager started.
“She just had a big heart and wanted to help everyone,” she said.
Greenfield Business Association co-ordinator Rachel Roberts said with the additional events in the Common and Court Square, this seemed like the optimal year to launch the window display competition.
“The (recreation department) has been asking us to hold a contest for a few years,” Roberts said in a statement. “It seemed like the perfect year to encourage people to get more involved in downtown businesses while enjoying the other carnival activities.”
Seventeen downtown businesses entered the competition and created a variety of window displays featuring winter scenes and expressing love for the community. Other voter favorites include Goose Exquisite Thrift, Garden Cinemas, YMCA of Franklin County and Greenspace CoWork.
“The participating companies were so excited about the competition and they made great presentations,” Roberts said. “We are also delighted to have had so much voter turnout.”
The Greenfield Business Association has partnered with local radio stations WHAI, Bear Country, The Outlaw and EZ107.5, who will collectively award a $3,500 custom station airtime package to Smoke Heaven .
Journalist Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne
