THE TRIO: Last night we were stunned to win awards for all three categories in which we were finalists during the annual @downtowneauclaire award show – Best New Renovation, Best New Business, and Best Business (overall). Some of our very good friends – other amazing projects and businesses – were also nominated in these categories, each so deserving in so many ways. If it was up to us we’d have spread the love around to @thelismoreec, @informalist, @diveec, @ecdcoffee, @justlocalfoodcoop, @volumeone, @thelocalstoreec, @blugoldradio, @latitude44yoga, @thedistrictcompany, and more for all the amazing work they put in every day. It’s going to take all of us to help this downtown succeed, so everyone keep up the great work! These awards are all thanks to hundreds of online votes from our guests, so thank you so much if you took the time to vote for us, we deeply appreciate your support for our little independent operation. We’re so excited to keep building on what we’ve created, and to move forward with you and our community, together. Here’s to an amazing 2017!

NICE: Our friends at @startribune listed The Oxbow Hotel as one of the “Top 6 Places in the Region to Visit in 2017.” Here’s what they had to say: “Anyone who doesn’t equate hip urbanism with Eau Claire, Wis., has yet to stay at the Oxbow Hotel, the boutique hotel that opened in downtown Eau Claire last year. There’s the turntable in each of the 30 rooms, with a vinyl record library in the lobby. There’s the artsy sculpted deer head above the fireplace, the local art adorning the walls, and the modern lodge-inspired chartreuse plaid chairs — and the fact that the Lakely, its restaurant, doubles as a music venue. But another reason it rocks? It’s owned in part by Justin Vernon, a native son and the frontman of indie folk band Bon Iver.” Not a bad way to start the new year!

Thanks to all who came out for our ribbon cutting Thursday, or the many of you packed in Friday too for jazz and our collaborators reception. Plenty of time to get in on grand opening weekend as things continue today with yoga in the gallery right now and brunch until 1pm. Then tonight with jazz 5:30-11pm, and our artist reception from 7-9pm in the gallery. Then brunch again Sunday from 7am-1pm and jazz from 9am-noon. Big weekend! Photo by @leebutterworthphoto

Nice write up and tons of photos from our friends at @citypages in Minneapolis/St. Paul yesterday. It seems they like the place.