At this year’s WSCO Annual Meeting, we took a moment to celebrate the people and businesses who make the West Side shine. From passionate teachers and dedicated neighbors to thriving local businesses, the West Side Awards honor those who go above and beyond to build a stronger, more connected, and more loving community.
Below you’ll find all the nominees and winners recognized at the 2025 Annual Meeting – each one a reminder of the creativity, care, and commitment that make the West Side the best side.
Nominees
Capital Deals Bike Shop
Capital Deals keeps the West Side rolling — from late-night rescue repairs to hosting neighborhood rides and scavenger hunts, Alex and his team go above and beyond to keep people moving and connected.
Icy Cup
A true neighborhood staple, Icy Cup brings people together with warmth and kindness — a place where everyone is welcome, and every visit feels like catching up with friends.
Beautiful Laundrette
More than a laundromat, Beautiful Laundrette is a hub for creativity, compassion, and justice — showcasing local artists, hosting free legal clinics, and supporting those in need with open hearts and open doors.
Backstory Coffee
Backstory Coffee reflects the true spirit of the West Side — welcoming, down-to-earth, and community-centered, serving great coffee with even greater connection.
Fox Face Studio / HealHouse
Fox Face Studio and HealHouse offer more than beauty and wellness — they create space for healing, growth, and community, where everyone is celebrated for showing up as their full selves.
And the 2025 West Side Business of the Year goes to…
Crasqui Restaurant
Crasqui is more than a restaurant – it’s a gathering place, a cultural bridge, and a beacon of community pride. Chef Soleil Ramírez has created a space that celebrates Venezuelan heritage through extraordinary food, while using her platform to uplift the Latin community across the West Side. Throughout 2025, Crasqui has raised funds for local nonprofits, hosted collaborations that spark dialogue around immigration, and provided a safe, welcoming space for neighbors, leaders, and friends to connect. Chef Soleil’s dedication, creativity, and heart embody the values of the West Side – where good food, good people, and shared purpose come together to build something beautiful.
Nominees
Julieta Guerrero
With quiet dedication and boundless heart, Julieta tends the gardens that make our neighborhood bloom. Whether she’s caring for plants or people, she gives freely of her time and love — a humble, steady presence who makes the West Side more beautiful every day.
Irmaris Benitez
As a kindergarten teacher at Riverview Immersion School, Irmaris brings patience, joy, and warmth to the very start of our children’s learning journeys — shaping futures with care and helping each student feel seen and capable.
Emma Hohlen
A teacher and advocate at Humboldt High, Ms. Emma leads with energy, compassion, and commitment. She shows up for her students in the classroom and beyond — supporting athletes, families, and our community’s future leaders with unwavering dedication.
Robert Cruz
Robert puts his heart into the West Side — showing up, speaking up, and putting action behind his love for this community. His energy and commitment reflect the best of what it means to be a West Sider.
Caprice Glaser
An artist, organizer, and advocate, Caprice uses creativity to strengthen our neighborhood’s identity — from shaping public art to standing up for its preservation. Her dedication ensures the West Side’s beauty, history, and voices continue to shine.
Sebastian Gonzalez Navarro (ineligible this year due to being a current Board Member, but still recognized)
Sebastian’s leadership and passion for connection are unmatched — from organizing with neighbors to protecting our schools, he pours his energy into building a stronger, more united West Side for everyone.
And the 2025 West Sider of the Year goes to…
Toni Molinar
Toni Molinar is the West Side. A lifelong neighbor, organizer, and mentor, she’s the driving force behind so many of the events and traditions that bring our community together — from Cinco de Mayo to Dia de los Muertos and West Side Boosters games. Toni shows up for her neighbors, especially the youth — making sure kids feel supported, protected, and proud of where they come from. She leads with heart, courage, and love, using her voice to speak up for what’s right and encouraging others to do the same. Toni embodies the true spirit of the West Side: strong, giving, and always ready to lift others higher. Her leadership reminds us that community isn’t just a place — it’s the people who care enough to keep it thriving.