Shown (L-R) are Joanna Dahlbeck, Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce Coordinator; Mark Summers, JRSC Digital; Lisa Goodell, Chautauqua Blind Association; David Jaroszynski, Geer-Dunn Company, Inc.; Jeff Kroon, Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club of Jamestown; Andrea Latona, Full Moon Rising Bakery; and Vicki McGraw, owner of Elegant Edibles Catering and President of the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce. Not pictured: Samantha Cooley of Fringe Hair Salon. Submitted Photo

JAMESTOWN — The Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce honored a number of businesses and organizations earlier this year during its annual Salute to the Finest award dinner.

The New Business of the Year Award was presented to Fringe Hair Salon. Andrea Latona, owner of Full Moon Rising Bakery, was presented with the Young Business Person of the Year Award. The Service to Humanity Award went to the Chautauqua Blind Association. The Pride of Jamestown Award was given to the Winifred Crawford Dibert Boys & Girls Club of Jamestown. JRSC Digital was named Business of the Year. A special award was presented this year to Geer-Dunn Company, Inc. – the Hometown Legacy Award – in recognition of their more than 100 years serving the Jamestown community.

David Jaroszynski, owner of Geer-Dunn Company, recounted the history of the office furniture and supply store where he has been an employee and owner for more than 50 years. “We are so pleased to be part of this community. We are a family business and provide service that you won’t get other places.”

Anthony Raffa, founder of JRSC Digital, formerly Jamestown Rubber Stamp Company, also pointed to the importance of family in the company’s longevity. “My grandsons are now in the business, and it means so much.”

Mark Summers, director of sales for JRSC Digital, also noted, “The business has grown so much. We provide a wide variety of services and have made investments in equipment and brought on employees to make that happen.”

One of the newest businesses in Jamestown, Fringe Hair Salon, opened in 2017. Owner Samantha Cooley noted, “It was always important that we be downtown. I have always had an affinity for downtown Jamestown and to be part of the business climate downtown and provide contemporary services for our customers is a dream come true.”

Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce Board President Vicki McGraw, owner of Elegant Edibles Catering, noted the importance of patronizing local business.

“Local small businesses are a vital part of our economy. We should all be supporting local business, and we are proud to recognize some of the businesses and organizations that make our community special,” she said.

Joanna Dahlbeck, Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce Coordinator, said, “This is really a special evening. It’s exciting to be in the room with so many energetic and entrepreneurial people. These businesses, and so many others, make our community what it is.”

Salute to the Finest was held at the Landmark Restaurant and was sponsored by Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric, Elegant Edibles Catering, Media One Radio Group, The Post-Journal, and Serta Mattress Company.