Mendon business receives award

State Sen. Kim LaSata has announced a St. Joseph County venue has been named the inaugural recipient of her “Small Business of the Month” award.

Mendon-based Cowboy Up was named Monday as the award’s first recipient.

LaSata said she is proud to recognize Cowboy Up as the first winner of the award, which is issued in conjunction with Small Business Appreciation Week.

The first-term senator said she recently had the pleasure of meeting owners Larry and Dee Shannon to give them their award. Despite the many difficulties over the past year, Cowboy Up has managed to stay open, and the Shannons are committed to fully reopening their small business as soon as possible, LaSata said.

Cowboy Up, which received several nominations, is a country-themed restaurant, line dancing and live music venue.