Bonnie Mogen has owned Bonnie’s Hallmark on Main Street with her husband for the past 20 years and has worked at the store since 1964. Last October, she was awarded the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mogen’s an Austin native, whose homemade caramel apples are popular in her store come fall and whose known for her customer service and her professionalism.

Referred to by some as “Mrs. Main Street,” Mogen has also been on the United Way board, the chamber board, and she’s played an active role in Austin’s “Crazy Days,” “Freedom Fest” and the popular “Christmas in the City.”

Mogen is now handing management duties of her store to her daughter Cindy Martin, who started working for her mother at 15.

While she’ll no longer be on the schedule, Mogen said she’ll still be willing to come in and help out from time to time.

Bonnie Mogen has been an asset to Austin and still is.

She’s a respectable business woman who for decades has found time for her business, her family and found ways to give back to Austin with countless hours of community service.

Balancing a family with work can be a difficult challenge, but owning your own business and volunteering your time on top of that is an achievement most wouldn’t dare attempt.

Austin can use more people like Bonnie Mogen.