TRIBUNE/Karen Martin
Connie Song (left) is presented a framed certificate by Mayor Lestine Hutchens at Monday’s town board meeting. Song was recognized for being Elkin’s 2008 Main Street Champion.
Staff reporter
kamartin@elkintribune.com
Connie Song, owner of Song’s Jewelry in Elkin, was honored as a 2008 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Dinner in Statesville on Jan. 29.
At Monday night’s Elkin town board meeting, Mayor Lestine Hutchens presented Song with a framed certificate, along with the nomination letter sent by the Elkin Main Street program to the state. Song’s husband, David, and son, Richard, were there to share in the honor with her.
The nomination letter sent by Elkin to nominate Song read as follows:
“Connie Song is a true ‘Main Street Champion,’ living the ‘American Dream.’ Connie came to Elkin from South Korea and opened her shop in 1999. In 2002, she bought and renovated a building on Main Street — her ‘second home.’
“While giving personal attention to matching jewelry to her customers’ individual needs, she studied hard and obtained her gemologist degree. Not only does she put special finishing touches on custom-designed jewelry and gift wrapping, she has done the same with her retail space. Connie bought a miter saw and cut 45 * molding trims for her shop. She also painted, learned to install tile and installed electric spotlights.
“During a recent project, Connie assembled a miniature version of her idea and presented it to the building inspectors who granted her a permit from her precise model. She received the chamber’s award for community beautification for her renovations to Song’s Jewelry.
“Connie is volunteer treasurer of Downtown Elkin, Inc., our merchants association. She keeps records and always balances to the exact penny, coordinated ‘Light up Night’ and assists with updating the merchants’ promotional booklet.
“Connie always smiles, ready to tackle any task, be it jewelry or downtown related. She is our DIAMOND! Proud of her many accomplishments, our whole town joins her cats, Smoke and Sandy, who accompany her daily to the jewelry store, her husband, David, and her son, Richard, in celebrating Connie Song as Elkin’s 2008 Main Street Champion.”
In 1980, North Carolina was one of six original states out of the 38 that applied to launch a National Trust for Historic Preservation ‘s National Main Street Center. The North Carolina Main Street Program began with New Bern, Salisbury, Shelby, Tarboro and Washington in 1980. The program has since grown to include 57 communities across the state.
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