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Focusing on "Business of the Month" T by Barb Kay, Absolute EA he recipients for this quarter are: Smitty's Family Restaurant & Josh's Pub (January); McDonald's (Beatty Foods Ltd.) (February); and Andrews Scenic Acres/Scotch Block Winery (March). Congratulations to all of you! Every month, Chamber members and local residents have the opportunity to nominate a local business for the Chamber's Business of the Month award. The criteria for selection are: quality of service, unique products, and/or civic involvement which benefits the community. Companies are selected regardless of Chamber membership, and the Chamber presents each of the recipients with a plaque. Business of the Month: January 2006 40 - 50 people for private functions. Both partners have backgrounds in the hotel and hospitality industry, so it's no surprise that they refer to their patrons as "guests" and treat them as such. A recipient of the Readers' Choice Awards in the Independent for the past three years, they were pleased to receive the Business of the Month award in January. Scott remarked that because of the restaurant's high visibility environment, this award also demonstrates the Chamber's involvement in the community. He added that he appreciates the continual support of residents since they opened. He believes success is a result of paying attention to details and having a great team of employees (there are 30) who arrive at work each day to a relaxed environment where they can be themselves. This translates into a friendly team who know most regular patrons by name. McDonald's (Beatty Foods Ltd.) 185 Guelph St., Georgetown, ON Tel. 905.840.0700 Chamber member since 1999 Owners Dave and Lucy Beatty expanded their business from Brampton to Georgetown in 1999 with the purchase of McDonald's. The following year, they made the bold decision to invest over $1 million to resurrect the old store into the biggest McDonald's in the region. Their decision was fortuitous; they already knew that this was a fantastic area with loyal customers, and growth since then in the surrounding area (a new high school and Super Store), has made McDonald's a "wonderful mid-sized market." Another three-year recipient of the Readers' Choice award, the Business of the Month award is their second Chamber award--McDonald's was the recipient of the Chamber's 2004 Civic Pride award. Dave attributes this success chiefly to his general manager Greg Carleton, an exceptional individual who has managed the business since the beginning and who surrounds himself with great people. Plus, Dave says, "it's important to stay involved in the community and to dedicate yourself to the business." Involved he has been, contributing to the B u s i n e s s o f t h e M o n t h : F e b r u a ry 2 0 0 6 McDonald's (Beatty Foods Ltd.) Photo: Georgetown Independent & Free Press Smitty's Family Restaurant & Josh's Pub Photo: Georgetown Independent & Free Press Smitty's Family Restaurant & Josh's Pub 265 Guelph St., Georgetown, ON L7G 4B3 Tel. 905.702.8454; Fax 905.702.8824; Email smittysrestaurant@bellnet.ca Chamber member since 2003 Almost four years ago on 13 September 02, Scott Lannan and business partner Stuart Watt opened Smitty's Family Restaurant and Josh's Pub. There are 120 of these nationally-known franchises across Canada. Smitty's Family Restaurants, which was originally known as Smitty's Pancake House, began in Canada in 1960. The menu has a wide variety of items, including all-day breakfast, steaks, wings, salads and a fantastic lunch, dinner and seniors' menu among other specialties. The layout, designed by Scott, is bright and spacious--with an aquarium in the middle of the restaurant, a dual-sided fireplace separating it from Josh's Pub, and a separate room to accommodate new recreation centre, providing assistance with the Old Dominion Seed House Garden, and participating in the Town's clean-up program. Staff and management have received congratulations from their loyal customer base and Dave adds that he is delighted to be part of this community and thanks them for their loyalty and the opportunity to serve them. Andrews Scenic Acres/Scotch Block Winery RR#5, 9365, 10th Sideroad, Milton, ON L9T 2X9 Tel. 905.878.5807; Fax 905.691.2672, Email farm@AndrewsScenicAcres.com www.AndrewsScenicAcres.com and www.ScotchBlock.com Chamber member since 1988 When Lauraine and Bert Andrews purchased their 100-acre farm in 1980, it didn't look like the Andrews' Scenic Acres operation it is today, consisting of several buildings, 175 acres of fruits and vegetables as well as 450 acres of cash crops. At that time, it was a rambling, run-down cornfield with nothing but a falling-down barn and a house in serious need of repair. From the beginning, it was conceived to be a family-run, pick-your-own farm. In that first year, they planted two acres of highbush blueberries, 5 acres of raspberries and 4-1/2 acres of strawberries. In the Fall of '81, it was open for pick your own. In 1999, Bert introduced Scotch Block Winery to the public and has since received numerous awards for its fruit wines, including the 2001 Entrepreneur of the Year award. Most recently, Scotch Block Winery was presented with the "Best of Show" as well as a Gold medal for its Regal Black Currant wine, held at the Toronto Wine & Cheese Festival on 24-26 March. Bert attributes all this recognition to the farm and winery staff. There are over 100 retail and field workers to thank every year who keep the farm humming. Success, says Bert, comes from having a positive, optimistic attitude and regarding barriers as challenges rather than obstacles. The real secret though, he reveals, is his wonderful, caring wife Lauraine who quietly takes care of administration in the background. Business of the Month: March 2006 Andrews Scenic Acres/ Scotch Block Winery Photo: Georgetown Independent & Free Press