Mill Valley Business Awards
On March 10th, 2026, the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce was thrilled to acknowledge our remarkable local businesses at our FIRST annual 94941 NOW | Mill Valley Business Awards.
We received an impressive 183 nominations from chamber members and community residents. We came together with our local leaders to celebrate outstanding businesses
across three categories:
Best Up and Coming Business | Most Valuable Employee | Most Innovative Business
2026 Award Recipients
Best Up and Coming Business : Woander
Matthew Purdon's Woander has engaged our community in myriad ways, from the Memorial Day Parade, the Mill Valley Music Fest, 125th, Winterfest, thrilling hikes into and around our amazing Mt. Tamalpais, at Winterfest, all while engaging with both kids, adults and families. Watching Woander's characters light up faces, all to engage, he and his team have shown up constantly, not just Mill Valley, but spanning from Old Mill Park to the Mill Valley Film Fest and much more.
Most Valuable Employee: Maria Hoppe
Every dynamic organization needs a captain. Ever since Maria Hoppe arrived in town in 2021, she's been seemingly everywhere, several steps ahead, navigating hurdles beyond her, and our larger 94941 community. She's made the Sweetwater more than a great live music venue, but also a gathering place. Maria Hoppe is indeed a Most Valuable Employee.
Most Innovative Business: The Poet and the Bench
When we first met Bonnie Powers and Jeffrey Levin upon their arrival on Locust Ave. in 2015, it was clear from the jump that they were very much not the kind of artists that needed to flail about and find out where they might fit into Mill Valley. It was actually quite the opposite. They were the rare duo that seemingly had it all dialed in, not just in terms of their aesthetic, but also that they were ready and willing to deeply connect with their business neighbors to establish long-term synchronicity.
Congratulations to ALL of the Nominees
BEST UP & COMING BUSINESS
Angela’s Organic Ice Cream · Anthony Meier Fine Arts · Art Barn · BFT · Cameron Cressman Photography – The Mill Valley Studio · Club Evexia · Corner Bar · Cypress Apparel & Home Goods Shop · Drawing Room · Hot Yoga Republic · Madrona Bakery
· Esqueleto · Makers Market · Mama’s Luncheonette · Marin Conservatory of Dance ·Mill Valley Pasta Co · MNTSTUDIO · Modica · Mystic · Passion Flowers · Peet’s at TheSweetwater · Poet & the Bench · TANTRUM · Team PRO Event, Inc. · The Dapper Dog Salon · The Depot Cafe · The Portal · Upside
MOST VALUABLE EMPLOYEE | The Paula Reynolds Award
All the wait staff at Le Marais · Andrea de Francisco at Mystic · Dave Boston at the Outdoor Art Club · Andres Bota at Bungalow 44 · Barb Nivens at the Throckmorton Theater · Beba at Benefit · Bonnie at Poet and Bench · Calvin at Woander · Carina Rivera of Spot Pet Care · Carly Phillipie at Honeygirl Beauty · Christina Penniman at FitWise Pilates · David Castro at The Cantina · Fabien Rety at Eddy Bar & Bottle ·Francisco at The Dapper Dog Salon · Ged Robertson at Watershed · Gemma at Madrona Bakery · Jennifer of Mill Valley Market · Jose at The Depot · Jules Mercer at Vintage Ruse · Kat Blair at Club Evexia · Kelly at the Mill Valley Pet Clinic · Kelly the butcher from Mill Valley Market · Lisa Smith at Smith and Co. Real Estate · Lucas at Sophia Jewelry · Maria Hoppe at Sweetwater · Matthew Purdon · Max Marasa at Mamahuhu · Nina Jolie at Ultimate Fitness · Paola Arandia at Bank of Marin · Paul Lazzareschi · Rico at Joes Taco Lounge · Ronnie at The Store · Sophie Priolo at Sofia Jewelry · Steve Bajor · Tim at La Ginestra · Tino Aversa at La Ginestra · Tomas Ruiz at Sweetwater Music Hall · Toni at The Goods · Angelo Marmol at Equator Coffees at Proof Lab
MOST INNOVATIVE BUSINESS
Bungalow 44 · Corner Bar · Equator Coffees on Miller Avenue · Flour Craft Bakery · Hot Yoga Republic in Mill Valley · Iodyne (Miller Ave) · Karen at Mill Valley Baking Company · Lulu Designs Jewelry · Makers Market · Mamahuhu · Marin Dad · Mill Valley Murals · Mystic · Passion Flowers · Poet & the Bench · Practice San Francisco · Spot Pet Care · Stefano’s Pizza · Steve Bajor · Strength Den · Sweetwater · The Cantina · The Goods · The Junction · The Portal · Woander · Woodlands Pet Food and Treats · Vintage Ruse · Woander
Thank you to our Sponsors
