Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces 2015 Business Awards, Shines Spotlight on Area Businesses 

Awards to be presented at the Chamber’s May Business After Hours networking event

Worcester, Massachusetts—The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, with presenting sponsor Fidelity Bank, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2015 Richard B. Kennedy Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Family-Owned Business of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, and Chamber Advocate of the Year. The awards will be presented on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at 4 p.m. at the The Haven Country Club (formerly the Mount Pleasant Country Club) prior to the Chamber’s monthly networking event, Business After Hours, which will begin at 5:00 p.m. The event will also include presentation of the Chamber’s annual Silver Hammer Awards.

“We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on these accomplished businesses for their continued commitment to excellence and contributions to the local business community,” said Timothy P. Murray, President and CEO, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The Richard B. Kennedy Business of the Year award will be presented to Imperial Distributors for its outstanding commitment and dedication to the Chamber’s mission, vision, and values.  Founded in 1939, the company will celebrate its 75th anniversary as the performance leader in supermarket non-foods distribution and merchandising services. Under President and CEO Michael Sleeper’s leadership, Imperial has made substantial contributions to the continued economic vitality of the region through community investment and service.

The Small Business of the Year will be presented to West Side Steak & BBQ, which is located at 2A Richmond Avenue, in Worcester. As a small eatery, Westside Steak & BBQ continues to demonstrate that excellent customer service and high quality food are part of the recipe for a great business model!

The Entrepreneur of the Year will be given to Skyscope Creative, which is located on Jackson Street, in Worcester. Founded in 2012, the eight-person operation is an eclectic mix of filmmakers, marketers, designers, and motion graphics artists producing high quality, award-winning videos. The company believes that the right video in the right place can deliver massive impact.

The Family-Owned Business of the Year will be presented to Percy’s TV and Appliance.  As a member of the Worcester business community for more than 80 years, the Lavine family has carried on a rich tradition of providing stellar customer service and exceptional products, and has demonstrated a commitment to the community.

The Chamber Advocate of the Year will be presented to Jim Donoghue, Owner of Tweed’s Pub, a member of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. Mr. Donoghue during his time on the Board has helped to govern the Chamber in its mission to support the region’s business community, specifically the small business owner.

The Chamber’s Silver Hammer Awards will be presented to SpencerBANK for its rehabilitation of the former Fire & Telegraph Building on Park Avenue into a branch and a community room for public use; Winn Companies for its restoration of the former Worcester Technical High School into market-rate housing known as the Voke Lofts; andCommerce Bank for its restoration of The Slater Building on Main Street. The awards are given yearly by the Chamber to acknowledge construction or rehabilitation projects that have an extraordinary visual and aesthetic impact on our physical landscape and that have brought new life to some of the region’s most historic assets.

The Joe Cohen Retailer of the Year will be awarded to Crompton Collective for growing business through innovative ideas, such as the addition of a farmer’s market and most recently, the addition of a unique event venue. The Chamber will present its Ambassador of the Year award to Maureen Raillo, President and CEO, WLimo, for her continued support over the years—whether at golf tournaments, committee meetings, after-work events—to advance the mission of the Chamber.

The awards event will be followed by a Business After Hours in partnership with the Marlboro Chamber of Commerce where members network to promote their business, make new contacts, and share information.

Tickets are $10 for members and $30 for non-members. REGISTER