Dan Spriggs is St. Anthony Villager of the Year 2022 and Steele & Hops is the Business of the Year in St. Anthony, awarded by the St. Anthony Area Chamber of Commerce May 12.
While Steele & Hops is less than a year old, their nominator cited their participation in fundraising and charitable events, support of sports teams and their plans for a rooftop garden to supply the vegetables. Described as new American restaurant, they serve beer, wine, cocktails and flights from many local purveyors, and the food is creative, local, chef-inspired.
Dan Spriggs and wife Michelle have lived in St. Anthony since 1998. He has served as a role model for youth as an educator and coach in the St. Anthony district and now employed in Spring Lake Park, still volunteers locally. He has also participated in various campaigns for equity. Nominator Wendy Webster described him as a “warm
demander,” providing both high expectations and high levels of support and a belief that all can be successful.
His son, Justice Spriggs, reflected on the thousands of kids mentored over the years, and gave an example of a former student, a single mom who recently needed food and diapers which Dan provided. Andrew Brever, a former student, credited Dan for serving on the athletic boosters board and as their equipment manager, giving many hours to inventory and making repairs.
Accepting the award, Dan Spriggs said he keeps an “attitude of gratitude. Plant trees under the shade of which you will never sit.” He recalled another previous honored Villager and mentor, Pastor Glen Seefeldt, who would put three rocks in one pocket at the beginning of the day, and transfer a rock to the other pocket each time he helped someone else. The goal was to transfer all the rocks every day.
Board member Laela Erickson of Thrivent Financial announced the chamber is looking for additional board members and to re-start monthly meetings that would highlight member businesses. For information, email executivedirector@saintanthonychamber.org
Below: Dan Spriggs (Photo by Margo Ashmore)
