Crowley, Cochineal are Marfa citizen, business of the year

MARFA – The Marfa Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the 2011 Business of Year and 2011 Citizen of the Year at its 100^th birthday celebration on Sunday, January 29.

The 2011 Business of the Year was awarded to Cochineal restaurant, owned by Tom Rapp and Toshi Sakihara, and the 2011 Citizen of the Year went to Tim Crowley.

For more than three years, Cochineal has provided Marfa with an eating establishment that is renown in the Big Bend Area and far beyond the Texas borders.  Locally, through Cochineal, Tom and Toshi have provided significant training and steady employment for a multitude of Marfa youth.

Kaki Aufdengarten-Scott talks to Marfa artist David Kimble during the chamber reception.

Developing valuable culinary skills such as meat cutting, fish preparation, bread baking, food and wine pairing, and proper tableside service, provides these young people with marketable skills in the restaurant industry in Marfa and beyond.

Tim Crowley was named the 2011 Citizen of the Year for his many contributions to our community over an extended period of time.  Tim has invested substantial time and money in revitalizing the city of Marfa.  He has renovated buildings headed for ruin and created spaces such as the Pavillion and the Crowley Theater where the town’s people gather and visit. Tim has started businesses and has continually supported the arts and civic organizations in our community.

Nominations for the awards were gathered from the community.  Other businesses receiving nominations included Big Bend Coffee Roaster, Food Shark, Frama, Get Go, Marfa Book Company, Marfa Maid, Miniature Rooster and Pueblo Market.

In addition to Tim Crowley, individuals nominated for the 2011 Citizen of the Year award included Jennie Lyn Hamiliton, Michael Roch and Pete Smyke.

Joe Williams, the current President of the Marfa Chamber of Commerce noted “We congratulate the winners. We had a great slate of competitors and it was a tough decision.  We know that we will continue to see great things from all the nominees. Each one made a significant contribution to the community this past year and look forward to seeing them in action in 2012.”