Annual Awards Dinner Honors Local Businesses
The Madison Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 14 at Brooklake Country Club, 139, Brooklake Rd., Florham Park. The year-end celebration awards were given in several categories to include business improvement, community service and the Extra Mile award.
The evening was filled with good cheer, laughter and friendship and included a buffet dinner, a cash bar, door prizes and an awards ceremony.
“The Chamber’s Annual Awards Night celebrated the outstanding achievements of a carefully selected group of distinguished individuals, businesses and community organizations. All of our 2022 honorees are being honored for their dedication and support of Madison businesses and the community.” said Karen Giambra, the Chamber’s executive director.
The Business Improvement Awards honored Shanghai Jazz, 24 Main St. with the Outstanding Interior Renovation Award in recognition of creating an updated interior space that is modern and inviting. The Madison Area YMCA, 111 Kings Rd. was awarded the Outstanding Expansion & Renovation Award for continuing to build a healthier, stronger community for children and adults of all ages.
Sola Salon Studios, 300 Main St. received the 2022 Innovation Award in recognition of their historic milestone of becoming the first salon studio/suite concept for beauty professionals to open in the state of New Jersey.
Bagel Chateau Madison, 45 Main St. received the Cornerstone Business Award in honor of being a landmark business for more than a quarter of a century.
Dish Kitchen, 19 Green Ave. received the Sustainability Award for their environmentally sustainable efforts and for the education they are providing to other businesses. The Community Service Award honored Stop & Shop Madison,133 Main St. in recognition of their dedicated service to the people of our community.
This year’s Distinguished Service Award honored Jerry Harmen, owner of Madison PhotoPlus, 40 Main St. for his dedication to the business community and Madison as a whole.
“Jerry Harmen, the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Service Award, has made continual and lasting contributions to the local economy and consumers; to the Madison Chamber of Commerce; and to the Madison community.” said John Morris, the chamber’s President and co-owner of Stewart-Morris, Awards, Gifts & Flags. “For almost fifty years Jerry has been the leader and driving force of Madison PhotoPlus, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Jerry’s story has deep roots in Madison. His lifelong careers – in photography and in retailing — are renowned for their qualities of knowledge, expertise, care, and creativity.”
The favored Extra Mile Award is the only Chamber award determined by the general public. This year honored Sue Gann of The Max Challenge Madison.
“Sue leads by example and exceeds the highest standards of customer service,” said Chamber executive director Karen Giambra.
“The spirit of this award is embodied in the employees and entrepreneurs who work so very hard in Madison’s businesses. They provide superior customer service everyday and make doing business in Madison a unique, pleasurable and rewarding experience,” said Giambra. “The Extra Mile Award gives these extraordinary business people the public recognition they deserve.”
