The Newton Economic Development Commission (EDC) will be holding the first annual 2012 Business Excellence Awards ceremony Thursday, October 18, 2012at 6pm at the Newton War Memorial, 1000 Commonwealth Ave, MA.
“The Business Excellence Awards is one way we recognize the invaluable contributions our businesses make to the vitality and economic health of our City,” says Chris Steele, Chair of the EDC.
Mayor Setti Warren will be in attendance to present the awards to each of the winners. A cocktail reception, hosted by the EDC and Newton Pride, is open to the public.
Receiving awards that evening will be:
- Joel Kadis, The Citizen Champion Award
- Kenneth Brennan, Village Bank, The Villages Award
- Newton Cultural Alliance, The Community Business Award
- Mario Boccabella, Bocca Bella Café and Bistro, Auburndale Village Business Award
- Panera Bread, Newton Centre Village Business Award
- Seanna Gaherin & Robert Dunn, Dunn-Gaherin’s Pub, Upper Falls Village Business Award
- Annabelle Ship, Green Planet Kids, Newton Highlands Village Business Award
- Joe Prestejohn, Cabots Ice Cream & Restaurant, Newtonville Village Business Award
- David Marks, Stoddards Cutlery, Nonantum Village Business Award
- John and Karl O’Hara, Paddy’s Pub, West Newton Village Award
- Ted Tye, National Development, Lower Falls Village Business Award.
That evening the Jerry Adams Award will be established in memory of Jerry Adams, an EDC member who served for 9 years and contributed greatly to the advancement of economic development in our City.
Are you sure cocktails? and not just beer & wine? one day event liquor license procurred?
I’m proud to have nominated successful Upper Falls winners Robert Dunn and Seanna Gatherin of Dunn-Gaherin’s. Their fabulous turnaround of what used to be a dive that was a blight on the neighborhood and a danger to drivers who happened to pass by on one fourth of July when the drunks who used to patronize the preceeding bar on the location celebrated the holiday by lobbing firecrackers into the laps of passing drivers. Bob and Seanna have cleaned the hoodlums and provided a first class dining experience combining sports and Irish ambience as the Phantom Gourmet and the Improper Bostonian have found. They’ve also been extremely generous to all sorts of community causes. A blight has become a boon.
Paddy’s and Dunn-Gaherin’s. The Irish Celts bring home 2 in Newton.
This was a really great night, highlighted by some pretty inspired acceptance speeches and individual stories. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to the EDC and city for putting this together.
Dunn-Gaherin’s is also one of the most supportive places around for people with food allergies. The manager is helpful and knowledgeable about issues such as cross-contamination. It’s a pleasure to feel welcome and be able to eat there without anxiety about what might be accidentally put on my plate.
Besides being a great place to eat and drink, Dunn Gaherin’s is also a great neighbor. They always help out with anything going on in the neighborhood. For instance, they’re providing the lunch for the volunteers at the Hemlock Gorge cleanup next weekend.
Thank you to everyone who came out last night. We filled the seats we had and even had standing room at the back of the War Memorial Hall.
In addition to having a great place and being a real neighborhood supporter, Seanna from Dunn Gaherin’s gave a great speech. She, Annabelle from Green Planet, John from Cabot’s, and many of the others also did a lot last night to point out the relationship between local merchants and the life of the broader community.
We think the event last night will be a good addition to the City’s annual calendar, and serves not only as a celebration. Some of the business owners spoke of positive changes in the City and have other ideas for making the village centers even more vital. I’m glad we have the dialogue going, and that its accomplishing something.
Many thanks to Chris, Amanda, Mayor Warren and everyone else who made last night happen. It was a really lovely (and tasty) gathering. Bravo!
Personally, I loved hearing from the small and family business owners. Their passion and dedication made the night. Newton Cultural Alliance was truly honored to be recognized alongside these fantastic members of the community and we look forward to continuing to make strides in our economic development programs.
Shop Local! Eat Local! Art Local!
…and blog local!
Yes! Of course!