Many of the Chamber award winners gathered for a group photo on Thursday.

Love of community filled the Williams Center at the State University of New York at Fredonia on Thursday night at the annual Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. This year saw the celebration of seven organizations/businesses as well as 17 others with legacies to share.

To start off the night Chautauqua Institution, Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce, Jamestown Cycle Shop, WJTN, Calarco’s Restaurant, AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, A.W. Farrell & Son, Jamestown Awning, Peek’ n Peak Resort and Spa, Pucci’s Carpet & Furniture, Artone Manufacturing, Haff Acres Farm, Lena’s Pizza Jamestown, Belle-View Estates, 360 Graphics, Dot’s Gift Boutique and The Green Door Tavern were all honored for their years of service to the county. Ranging from five to 150 years, these businesses spoke of passion and community as members accepted their achievement awards.

The evening then turned to the honorees of the night beginning with the Emerging Business of the Year award of Whizz-n-Smash of Dewittville. Dawn Murphy’s love of nut butters shined through like her 69 small batch varieties. Health and natural eating drove her to making her butters and with it came a desire to share those feelings.

“Never in a bazillion did I ever imagine what could and would be,” Murphy shared. “The amount of growth the Whizz continues to experience and its ability to give back to our community has everything to do with my customers.”

Following soon after and “preserving downtown Dunkirk, one sandwich at a time,” Central Station Restaurant came in to claim Hospitality Business of the Year.

Robert Contiguglia and Kathleen Dennison shared their drive to keep quality scratch cooking in a casual setting with the 1,000-plus customers that traipse through their doors.

“Our formula is simple,” Contiguglia stated. “The first part is that we use superior ingredients, the second part of our formula is attention to detail, the third component, which is very important, is our staff. We have a veteran staff with a combined knowledge of 100 years.”

Dennison went on to add that it’s “Handsome Rob” and his 50 years of experience that carried them to achieving this prestigious award.

Service Business of the Year was the next category and this year brought with it Kravitz Tree Service and when it comes to trees, there’s nothing that they can’t do.

“What sets us apart is that we utilize state of the art equipment,” owner Ben Kravitz noted. ” most of the equipment that we have doesn’t need a person in the tree, it’s mechanical, which makes it a lot safer, quicker and more cost-effective for the customer.”

Kravitz also gives back to the community by recycling pretty much 100% of the trees they remove by turning the wood into mulch and boards for others to use in their projects.

Kravitz and his wife and staff were not at the dinner as they were south aiding in debris cleanup from Hurricane Helene.

The Producer of the Year award went to Ghostfish Brewing Company in Westfield.

A brewing company that hails from the West Coast, this unusual brewery offers an entirely gluten-free beer selection making it a standout from the crowd.

“We are looking forward to growing in Chautauqua County and making this our home for a very long time,” president Richard Smith said as he thanked the Chamber and all of their customers in the area.

On the heels of Ghostfish the Chamber announced its Not-for-Profit of the year which went to Prevention Works.

A strong organization that aids in alcohol and substance abuse, social and emotional learning and interventional services. Its mission is to educate communities on positive life choices by encouraging health, wellness and inclusion.

“Our focus is to really improve wellness overall, we’re just trying to build skill sets,” Chief Executive Officer Danielle Sielatycki discussed. “We couldn’t do the work we do without our partnerships around the area. We have three pillars and that’s educate, collaborate and motivate.”

Following soon after was the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, which was awarded the Business Champion Award. According to the chamber, this organization’s sparse staff of eight were instrumental in helping the area with promoting and sharing the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse as well as their dedication to ongoing events and tourism push in the area led to their contention for this award.

“Serving area businesses is the mission of our organization,” President Andrew Nixon stated. “Well, the majority of our activities are aimed at marketing and attracting visitors to the area. The purpose of our work is to help carry businesses.”

Business of the Year winner PersNikkity Pies was the last to grace the event sharing their love of scratch baking and cooking as well as their drive to make lasting changes in their community by teaching young people how to become good employees and give it your all.

“What started out for my family became a real community investment,” owner Nikki Pierce shared. “The village of Falconer is working very hard toward rejuvenation and becoming a really bustling village again.”

All the award recipients were honored with plaques and certificates for their outstanding contribution to their communities and all of Chautauqua County.