ASHLAND — Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Amy Daubenspeck has seen local businesses and organizations overcome countless challenges over the past year.
The Chamber recognized a handful of these entities Thursday evening at its 10th annual member awards banquet.
Winners were chosen from 37 finalists in 11 different categories, including small business of the year, social services organization of the year and more.
“All the finalists have proved that they’ve overcame obstacles of all kinds over the past year. What our members and our finalists have done in the past year despite the circumstances, we wanted to celebrate,” Daubenspeck said.
The owner of Joan’s Tavern, Alex Bosley said he was surprised, but excited to receive the small business of the year award. He opened the tavern in November 2018 — without ever imagining he’d need to weather a pandemic two years later.
But Bosley is no stranger to challenges.
“We had took over a previous tavern’s location and made lots of changes. We changed the whole make up, the whole concept, so it was kind of a risk right away,” he said. “But it was well worth the risk. The community has supported us.”
United Way of Ashland County’s executive director Stacy Schiemann described her nomination as an honor. Like Bosley, she too was surprised to receive an award. The local nonprofit was chosen as the social services organization of the year.
“(Our partner agencies) do everything for the community. For all the agencies out there, this is yours,” Schiemann said.
See the complete list of award winners below.
Agriculture Business of the Year
Winner: Honey Haven Farm
Finalists: Fitch Pharm
Culture and Recreation Organization of the Year
Winner: Ashland County Historical Society
Finalists: Ashland County Airport, Ashland Main Street, Ashland Public Library and Brookside Golf Course
Health and Medical Services Organization of the Year
Winner: LSS Lutheran Village of Ashland
Finalists: Brethren Care Village, Kingston of Ashland, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare and UH Samaritan Medical Center
Social Services Organization of the Year
Winner: United Way of Ashland
Finalists: ACCADA, Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, Ashland County Cancer Association, Ashland County Council on Aging, Associated Charities and Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County
Small Business of the Year
Winner: Joan’s Tavern
Finalists: All-Ways Trans Plus and Kandi’s Rods and Kustoms
Industrial Business of the Year
Winner: Hedstrom Plastics
Finalists: Barbasol
Retail Business of the Year
Winner: Miller’s Hawkins
Finalists: Buehler’s Fresh Foods
Speciality Store of the Year
Winner: Fig & Oak
Finalists: LK Home Decor and Village Point Parlor and Market
Professional Services Business of the Year
Winner: Spherion Staffing
Finalists: Ashland Cleaning and Small Business Development Center
Commercial and Residential Services Business of the Year
Winner: Bo Lacey Construction
Sales and Marketing Services of the Year
Winner: Bill Harris Dealerships
Finalists: Coldwell Banker Ward Real Estate, Henley Graphics and Vinyl Marketing
