Two members of Eureka’s business community have received annual awards from the city and the Chamber of Commerce.
Jeff Bredahl, a barbecue master at the Super Smokers BBQ + Cajun restaurant, has been named Eureka’s Citizen of the Year, and Cheryl Parrish, owner of The Rose & Hook and Lillie James Boutique + Gifts, is the chamber’s Businessperson of the Year.
The pair will be a part of the annual Eureka Days Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, and they will be recognized at 7 p.m. that day during the festival at the main stage.
Citizen of the Year
Bredahl is a barbecue master, volunteer clown and general do-gooder. The 72-year-old Eureka resident has lived in the city since 1965.
“I really didn’t think I was even in line for it,” he said. “I was surprised when the fire chief (Eureka Fire Protection District’s Greg Brown) and Lizzie (Roberds, Parks and Recreation Department supervisor) came down (to Super Smokers). Lizzie came in with a sign and balloons and I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’”
Bredahl was nominated for the award by Super Smokers BBQ + Cajun owner Jeff Fitter and Brown. Fitter said he couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Bredahl, who has been a Super Smokers pitmaster for two years.
“You couldn’t find someone more caring or giving for the community,” Fitter said.
Brown said Bredahl “absolutely deserved” the honor. He said he has known Bredahl for more than 50 years, and Bredahl was his basketball coach at Most Sacred Heart Catholic School.
“As a coach, he was caring,” Brown said. “He was a great teacher. He taught basketball, but he also taught sportsmanship, teamwork and friendship. He made sure that playing basketball and being on the team was fun for everybody.”
Bredahl said he coached at Sacred Heart from 1972 to 2009. He also refereed high school basketball and volleyball games.
“I retired because the knees had finally gone out,” Bredahl said. “It was one of my favorite passions, working with the kids. I miss it.”
Bredahl is a member of the Eureka Knights of Columbus and donates regularly to food pantries.
“Once a month, I go over to the Price Chopper in House Springs, and I load up anywhere from six to 10 cases of beans, vegetables, cereal and other boxed stuff,” Bredahl said. “Helping the community is always important. My dad (Thomas Bredahl) instilled that in me a long time ago. He was big in the Knights of Columbus and always did a lot of volunteer work.”
Bredahl said he is bummed about one thing, though. Being Citizen of the Year at the Eureka Days parade means his 52-year streak as a volunteer clown will be broken. He told Roberds as much when she notified him of the award.
“She said I could still clown (in the parade), but I said I can’t clown and ride in the car; no one would recognize me,” Bredahl said. “I’m honored that the city picked me, and I hope I live up to the standards the community wants.”
Bredahl is a founding member of the Missouri Knights of Columbus District 44 Clowns, now called Trinity Clowns. He helped start the club in 1988 to entertain children at local events.
“The goal is to spread Christianity, smiles and happiness,” he said.
Businessperson of the Year
Businessperson of the Year, Cheryl Parrish
Parrish, 52, opened The Rose & Hook, a store specializing in gifts, jewelry and home decorations, two years ago at 210 S. Central Ave. This summer, Parrish opened Lillie James Boutique + Gifts, a clothing store, at 125 S. Central Ave.
“It’s such an honor to be recognized for doing something that you love to do,” Parrish said. “Nobody ever opens a business because they want an award. It’s because they’re passionate about providing something for people.
“It means a lot, knowing that other successful business owners are the ones that are encouraging you and basically giving you this award.”
Parrish moved to Eureka in 2019 from Richmond, Va., but grew up in southeast Missouri.
Chamber executive director Krista Overstreet said Parrish has made Eureka a better place in the two years she’s operated downtown. She said Parrish donates frequently to chamber events and is a platinum sponsor for the Eureka High School varsity football team.
Parrish works frequently with the nonprofit Not in Our Backyard, which helps Eureka residents who need day-to-day necessities. In preparation for the group’s Little Black Dress fundraiser on Oct. 19, Parrish organized a pre-party dress sale and get-together at Lillie James Boutique, with part of the proceeds going to the nonprofit.
“She pulls together a lot of events and brings together a lot of businesses downtown,” Overstreet said. “When choosing a Businessperson of the Year, we look at the ways businesses have helped in the community, if they’re involved with the chamber. She’s a dear friend and has a heart of gold.”
Jeff Maupin, a residential lender at Farmers & Merchants Bank and chamber member, said the award is a “true testament to how well she’s entrenched herself in the community. It’s very awesome.”
Parrish credited her employees with being able to operate two stores.
“I think what it takes to run a business now is strength and calm, and I’m not the best at staying calm always,” she said. “I have a tremendous team. I could not have opened my second business without them, and the people on my team are phenomenal with what they do.”