Civic Group Awards First 'Downtown Crown'

Who needs a ribbon-cutting when you've got a royal crown?

The Palo Alto Downtown Business and Professional Association presented University Chiropractic with the first “Downtown Crown” award Tuesday evening, setting a precedent for the recognition of business growth in the city. The award, designed by executive director Russ Cohen, is intended to bring esteem to the expansion of businesses in Palo Alto.

To celebrate University Chiropractic’s opening day, Palo Alto Mayor Sid Espinosa, city officials and community members gathered to honor Doctor Patricia Kiser and her staff with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Espinosa and Cohen spoke of the unfolding health initiative occurring locally prior to awarding the crown.

“What’s important in terms of University Chiropractic opening downtown is [that] there is such a focus in Palo Alto on health and wellness and for so many people it’s not just visits to the doctor’s office or eating well but really thinking about how the whole body works together,” Espinosa said.

Cohen, who was recently appointed to the position of executive director, said the awarding of a crown to a new business owner has important symbolic value.

“The crown is much like a ribbon-cutting [ceremony], it’s sort of a symbol of beginning and success,” Cohen said. “When people wear a crown, they [have] success. We hope that by putting on a crown and welcoming new businesses to downtown, they will thrive.”

Mayor Espinosa acknowledged Cohen's effort as offering an important focus on the surge of new business openings downtown.

“It’s in my understanding, that [Russ] wanted to start a new initiative in order to honor downtown businesses that are coming in, get a focus on them and get folks thinking about the fact that new businesses are coming into town and [that] we should highlight them,” Espinosa said. "University Chiropractic is new so the timing worked out to have this be the first [recipient]."

Kiser said her approach to business emphasizes the value of an informed clientele.

“I think that people are happy to be empowered by information," she said. "We make it a big deal to educate every person that walks in the door. That’s what people want; they want guidance, they want direction. There are a lot of different alternative health choices out there and I think that being able to understand what we do, what we represent, and our practices is important.”