Three Ballard businesses are winners of the 2009 Mayor’s Small Business Award. Each year the Mayor names ten small businesses to recognize based on their entrepreneurial spirit, customer service, community involvement and excellence in management. This year our neighborhood boasts three of the winners. Ballard (and Greenwood) Sip & Ship, Annie’s Nannies and Cupcake Royale have all been named. “Small businesses are the economic engines that employ local people and provide innovative products and services throughout our city – small business owners are my heroes,” said Mayor Greg Nickels. “They add character to our neighborhoods and create gathering places that make Seattle so wonderful.” Other winners include Alki Kayak Tours, Gravity Payments, Nyhus Communications, Schemata Workshop, Inc., S.H. Worldwide, Shen Consulting, and X Bar. There will be an awards ceremony on October 13th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Town Hall (1119 Eighth Avenue). Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here. (Disclosure: Sip & Ship is a sponsor of My Ballard.)