AMHERST, NY – Amherst Chamber of Commerce President/CEO A. J. Baynes announces that six local small businesses are being honored at the Chamber’s annual Small Business Showcase and Awards Luncheon sponsored by KeyBank.
“Congratulations to our local small business award winners on their success,” says Baynes. “We understand the hard work and sacrifice it takes to make your dream a reality.”
Here are this year’s honorees:
Oxford Pennant: Small Business of the Year
The Buffalo store that designs and makes wool felt pennants, flags and banners is a young company with fewer than 15 workers, but it put Buffalo in the national spotlight with its clever idea to raffle off a free trip to the Queen City during the winter. The idea took off and was featured by media outlets all over the country. Persistence and hard work also landed Oxford Pennant a major contract with clothing giant J. Crew to sell OP’s t-shirts and pennants. In this ever-changing global economy, it shows how successful a small business can be when it thinks big.
The BFLO Store: KeyBank Sponsor’s Award
With four locations, this small business is the largest Buffalo-themed gift retailer in WNY! Whether it is home and office décor, jewelry, apparel or gifts, all its products exude Buffalo love. Its next big project includes taking over the former Sears Department store building at the Eastern Hills Mall with plans to create a lifestyle center, including its largest store to date.
The Coppola Firm: Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Award
The Coppola Firm is a law office that focuses on employment law, business and entrepreneurship. Founder Lisa Coppola has developed a keen business sense throughout her more than 25-year law career. She understands what her clients need because she has started several of her own businesses, including The English Gardener, a garden design and construction company created out of her love of gardening.
Fresh Catch Poke Co.: New Small Business Award
Fresh Catch Poke Co. is an Amherst restaurant that opened last year featuring the Hawaiian delicacy of raw fish. The Chamber added this new award category to recognize small businesses that have showed great promise right out of the gate. Fresh Catch Poke Co., founded by Mike Tobin stood out from the crowd with its creative branding and marketing, unique, tasty fare and its commitment to use only sustainable, eco-friendly fish partners.
Buffalo Video Production: Friend of the Chamber
The Chamber has so many wonderful supporters, but this year’s Friend of the Chamber Award winner has gone above and beyond year after year to make The Event, our October celebration of business excellence, a spectacular night. Katherine Lucas and her talented team at Buffalo Video Production have worked tirelessly creating videos of our award winners. We appreciate all the hard work that goes into each story, beautifully capturing the essence of The Event.
Chrusciki Bakery/Simply Pierogi: Family-Owned Business Award
The business receiving the Family-Owned Business Award is a household name in Buffalo, but less known is Chrusciki Bakery’s rise to success. Founders Tadeusz and Hania Robieniek came to America from their native Poland in 1984 with $100 and a dream. Their hard work at a Buffalo bakery paid off when they were able to take over the business. Since then, Chrusciki Bakery has expanded rapidly with all kinds of delicious baked goods and recently created a second company, Simply Pierogi.
More than 350 people will be in attendance, including the following elected officials: State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Amherst Supervisor Brian Kulpa, Erie County Legislator Ed Rath and State Senator Chris Jacobs.
JOIN US FOR THIS SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS!
WHEN: Friday, May 17th
10:30am Vendor Showcase
12:00pm Awards Luncheon
WHERE: Samuel’s Grande Manor
8750 Main Street, Williamsville
