Local Business Owners to be Honored at the GWACC 70th Anniversary

GWACC (Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce) will celebrate 70 years of serving the business community. GWACC begun when a group of 29 Westfield business owners met at the Rialto Theater and signed an agreement to support the local businesses in the area. Of the 29 original members, only the Rialto Theater and Baron’s Drugs are still in existence. The Chamber is in possession of the original signed document and it is on display at the Chamber office. From our humble beginnings, we have grown to a vigorous 500 members in five towns.
A 70^th anniversary Gala will take place on April 19, 2018 at 6 p.m. at The Primavera Regency in Stirling, New Jersey, which was also the location of GWACC’s 50^th anniversary party. Five local business owners will be honored at the Gala. The Foundation Award will be given to William’s Nursery owner, David Williams, and to Alder’s Jewelers owners, Jeff and Andy Arkin. This award is given to multi-generational family businesses that have been GWACC members for over 40 years. The Local Business Award of the Year will be given to Christopher Schiavone, owner of Shackamaxon Country Club, who took a bankrupt business and now has a thriving golf business with increased membership, a new extensive pool area, improved bunkers, a new 13^th hole and general overall improvements on the course. The Business Leader of the Year Award goes to Ron Shovlin of the Shovlin Mattress Factory, a family business that competes with national bedding brands and manufactures the mattresses right in Fanwood. He has enlarged his showroom after moving from Garwood and creates all the latest mattress technology there. Finally, the Motivational Inspiration Award goes to Gary Patti, owner of Gold Medal Gym, who started his business in the mid 70’s when he was the only gym in the area. Now there are competing fitness locations on almost every block, some single owners to corporation locations and yet, Gary has been able grow his business, keeping current with the latest services and equipment available today.
The 70^th Anniversary Gala will include a two-hour networking opportunity with a sumptuous cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres, multiple carving stations, pasta stations, cheese, and salad area along with several chafing dishes. A truly huge cocktail party which will be followed by a sit-down coffee and dessert. There will also be an all evening open bar. For sponsorships, ad journal pages and tickets, please go to the GWACC website, gwaccnj.com/events and look for the Gala or call the Chamber office at 908-233- 3021. A Major portion of the proceeds will go to the GWACC Foundation, a 501c3 charity organization supporting local high school scholarships, non-profit grants, and the Young Entrepreneur Academy.