One of Harrisonburg's own is a finalist in the Darden School of Business' awards competition.

A Bowl of Good Cafe has been selected as one of 14 finalists in the 2nd Annual Tayloe Murphy Resilience Awards competition.

The University of Virginia competition's website says it will award five businesses in Virginia for displaying growth, bridging cultural divides, supporting local charities, and bringing economic hope to areas in the state where industries have fled.

The most important characteristic, however, is their resilience.

According to the Tayloe Murphy Center release, this local cafe has displayed all of these characteristics:

When landlords raised the rent, A Bowl of Good Café had to make a tough decision: Pay more or start over without much equipment and risk losing their customers. They gave up their storefront and while continuing to sell at farmers markets and out of the back of the van, they rolled the dice, took out a favorable loan and moved into a new, custom-made store to provide their quality, “slow food, served fast.”

From their connections with farmers and local producers in the farmers market, they are able to provide a high-value, low-cost core product: meals that are "globally inspired, local goodness" in a bowl.

Through grassroots campaigning, the partners, Katrina Didot and Rachael Dorsey, worked to let patrons know about the move, along the way, building a mailing list and social media network. The café has kept up community relations, hosting a World Cup event and raising nearly $12,000 to support earthquake relief in Haiti.

The 14 finalists were chosen from among 21 semi-finalists and 88 total Virginia businesses that submitted applications last spring.

Five of the finalists will be chosen for the award in September.

For a list of the other businesses and details on the awards ceremony, visit Tayloe Murphy Center.