Someday, your great grandkids will probably ask you if Molly Moon was for real. You can tell them she was, she lived on Capitol Hill, she opened her second ice cream shop — ever — here, and in 2011, Molly Moon Neitzl’s mini chain of ice cream shops won the top slot in the first ever King County Small Business Awards.
OK. You might leave that last part out. But it’s true.
Molly Moon’s got the nod over a Renton fiber optic supplier and Seattle’s Trophy Cupcakes in the awards to recognize the most successful small business entrepreneurs in King County announced Wednesday.
Nominations were made by local jurisdictions and business organizations from July through September, and the 125 King County businesses that were nominated were narrowed down to three finalists in each category before today’s awards ceremony. Businesses had to have 50 employees or less and have been in business for at least three years to qualify for the seven award categories.
Molly Moon’s is not a Capitol Hill native as the first shop, you can also tell your great grandkids, was in Wallingford. What is Wallingford, they will ask. Moon’s expanded to Capitol Hill and opened its Oddfellows building shop in April that year. Other frozen treats followed. And now some of those ventures are also expanding — Congratulations, Bluebird. Molly Moon’s now operates five locations in Seattle.
While Neitzl is the face of her business, Molly Moon’s also has deeper Capitol Hill roots as the neighborhood’s nightlife entrepreneur Marcus Lalario backed the ice cream venture’s expansion as an investor. Like Lalario, Netizl has been active forging political connections and embracing initiatives like paid sick leave.
Capitol Hill design firm Schemata Workshop was nominated for Workforce Development business of the year but didn’t win. The 12th ave workshop is the workplace of John Feit, writer behind the CHS Schemata posts, and, of course, is responsible for some very cool projects.
The back of the first line in Molly Moon’s Capitol Hill history (Image: CHS)
King County Executive Dow Constantine was on hand to announce the honors.
Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Molly Moon’s Handmade Ice Cream – Seattle
Finalist: Trophy Cupcakes and Party – Seattle
Finalist: Lightel Technologies, Inc. – Renton
Minority Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Triple XXX Rootbeer – Issaquah
Finalist: Chameleon Technologies, Inc. – Kirkland
Finalist: General Microsystems, Inc. – Bellevue
Woman Small Business of the Year
WINNER: PRR Inc. – Seattle
Finalist: JTS Manage Services – Seattle
Finalist: Ombrella Inc. – Kirkland
Exporting Small Business of the Year
WINNER: Paula’s Choice, Inc. – Renton
Finalist: Pascal International – Bellevue
Finalist: Trans-NET Inc. – Issaquah
Green/Sustainable
Small Business of the YearWINNER: General Biodiesel – Seattle
Finalist: Eco Cartridge Store – Kirkland
Finalist: WorldCNG – Kent
Workforce Development
Small Business of the YearWINNER: Seidelhuber Iron and Bronze Works – Seattle
Finalist: Lin & Associates, Inc. – Seattle
Finalist: Schemata Workshop, Inc. – Seattle
Rural Small Business of the Year
Winner: Rockridge Orchards & Cidery – Enumclaw
Finalist: Jubilee Biodynamic Farm Inc. – Carnation
Finalist: Olympic Nursery – Woodinville
I’ll say it again. I love Molly Moon’s ice cream!!!
Enjoy those bypass surgeries, Seattle.
I want to like it, but it’s just not very good ice cream.
Oh well, to each their own.
Nobody is forcing you to stuff your face butterball.
Course, the real news is how much money they are raking in over charging for so-so ice cream. The Gelato at QFC is much better.
Good business for Molly, you bet. Raised at the Mall, the younger set has not a clue how to spend their money.
Go Molly, fleece the sheep. Then get awards from the city/county for an over priced sugar/cream confection with no food value.