'We're 10': King Chamber of Commerce honours top businesses

Annual Excellence in Business Awards dinner reaches milestone

Yorkregion.com
October 2, 2018
Sheila Wang

Ripples of applause filled a banquet room of Nobleton Lakes Golf Club, as King Chamber of Commerce honoured the top businesses at its 10th Annual Excellence in Business Awards Dinner on Thursday.

Business representatives, King Township council members and Mayor Steve Pellegrini gathered at Nobleton Lake on Sept. 27 for a night of food, drinks and excitement, as the chamber presented six business awards to recognize local businesses across King Township.

“So we’re 10!” Board member Jay Rider opened his speech announcing the King Chamber of Commerce has reached a 10-year milestone this year.

He said it’s been wonderful to see how the business environment has evolved as a whole in the township for the past 10 years, which was once largely isolated in the three village cores -- Schomberg, King City and Nobleton.

The biggest winner went to Stephanie Karellas with Kroma Salon who has received two awards: Excellence in New Business and Entrepreneur of the Year.

Karellas, a senior hair stylist, opened the salon in King City in April 2017.

Another King City business owner, Alison Mumford took home the Sustainable King Award for the Roost Café, which was opened two-and-a-half years ago on Keele Street.

“I was very surprised,” Mumford said. “I’m excited. I think part of my mission statement in opening a business in King City, especially being part of greenbelt, is one that is sustainable. We try a lot of different practices, in terms of sourcing out local products to reduce carbon footprint.”

Meanwhile, Excellence in Small Business went to Holland Marsh Wineries, Excellence in Large Business went to Seneca College King Campus, and Rocco Macri with Foodland Schomberg took home the People’s Choice Award.

“It’s nice to be able to highlight the success the local businesses have had. We have a great variety of businesses in King and it’s really nice to be able to do as much of our local shopping as we can in any of the three villages,” said Tom Allen, board member of the chamber.

Formed in January 2008, the chamber of commerce has been working to promote a healthy, sustainable and environmentally responsible business climate in King Township.

Allen said he’s witnessed improvements in “choices and variety” of local businesses in the township with the help of the business owners, and the township.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with the chamber of commerce to try to help support these local businesses. We’ve got a good relationship with the township. We don’t agree on everything but nor should we.”

Currently, the chamber has more than 150 members throughout King Township and beyond.