Annual Business Awards
The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce 2009-10 Business Award recipients were recognized at the Chamber Board of Directors Meeting, sponsored by AT&T, on June 24 at the Gainesville Civic Center:
Small Business of the Year
Scott’s on the Square Restaurant
Casual fine dining in an elegant and comfortable atmosphere is the best way to describe one of Gainesville’s premier Downtown restaurants. Scott’s on the Square is the culmination of a life-long love affair with food, wine and hospitality. Scott Dixon started in the restaurant business at age 13 as a busboy at a BBQ restaurant. Little did he know, that was the first step in a long and prosperous career in the restaurant business. Scott has worked in every position in the industry – from bussing tables and washing dishes to management positions in the kitchen and becoming executive chef and general manager. Scott and wife, Kay, relocated from Atlanta in 2004 and opened Scott’s on the Square in December 2007 with the mission to provide an extensive array of the freshest, highest quality food prepared in traditional as well as innovative ways. The restaurant, located at 110 Main Street, offers an eclectic menu, outstanding wine selections, special events and dining parties, along with full-service catering. Scott was recently featured in a cover article of Restaurant Forum Magazine. The Dixon’s believe in strong community involvement and recognize that business interests are supported by getting involved. Scott serves on the boards of Main Street Gainesville, Lanier Charter Career Academy and the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. scottsonthesquare.com
Family Business of the Year
Citisco Food Service Equipment – The Romberg Family
Citisco (short for City Ice Co.) Food Service Equipment offers an array of food equipment and supplies, from commercial fryers and refrigerators to home kitchen bakeware and cutlery. Food Service Equipment was started in 1964 as a division of City Ice Company, which was founded in 1929 by brothers Carl Romberg Sr. and Conrad Romberg. Eighty-one years ago, the company delivered ice to homes by horse-drawn wagon, expanded to include a meat processing and cold storage in the 1930s, and began selling ice to the poultry industry in 1941. Back then, ice deliveries were made twice a week to keep food refrigerated. Today, the company continues to keep perishables refrigerated, only through reach-in and walk-in coolers and freezers! When the company reached a peak in the 1950s, there were three ice plants in Gainesville and about 200 employees. With a showroom, 28 employees, over 5,000 items in stock and many more available on special order, Citisco is still operated by the Romberg family with members from the second and third generation active in the business. Located at 206 College Avenue in Gainesville, today’s products include china, flatware, glassware, cookware, cutlery, bar supplies, ice machines, equipment, seating and custodial supplies. Clients include the federal government as well as state government agencies, school systems and a large retail market through the Internet. citisco.com
Silver Shovel Award Recipients
Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Silver Shovel Award Recipients are recognized for outstanding service and volunteerism.
Ben Bahnsen – BDS Agency/Consumer’s Life
William Claxton – Sam’s Club Oakwood
Drew Echols – Jaemor Farm Market
Deanna Eden – Adams Transfer & Storage
Dede Gossage – UGA Small Business Development Center
Julie Nicholson – Community Bank & Trust
John Preece – 90 Ten Architects
Quinn Seay – Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Gainesville
Sam Rundell – SKF USA, Inc.
R.K. Whitehead – Whitehead Die Casting
City of Oakwood
City of Flowery Branch
Community Service Awards
Dr. Merrianne B. Dyer, Superintendent, Gainesville City Schools
Will Schofield, Superintendent, Hall County Schools
Dr. Merrianne B. Dyer, Superintendent, Gainesville City Schools, and Will Schofield, Superintendent, Hall County Schools, were recipients of the Community Service Awards. The Hall County and Gainesville City School systems are high quality public schools systems. Even in these tough economic times, our schools are surviving and thriving, working together and sharing ideas. As members of the VISION 2030 Education Consortium, both Will Schofield and Dr. Merrianne Dyer “think outside the box,” work with positive attitudes, and have a clear vision of what works best to educate our students and prepare them as our future workforce. Their forward thinking is reflected in the development of our Charter Schools, a hands-on approach with the Chamber’s Partners in Education program and ongoing support of the Youth Apprenticeship Program and Youth Leadership Hall.
W.G. Mealor Chairman’s Award
Dixie Truelove, Truelove Dairy
Dixie Truelove was the recipient of the prestigious W.G. Mealor Award. The award, named after the first President of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce (W.G. Mealor, President, 1908-1917), has a long tradition of recognizing outstanding citizens in our community and was chosen by Chamber Chairman Emily Bagwell. Dixie continues to work tirelessly for the Chamber in her role as a Board Member and volunteer. She is a former Vice Chair of the Government Affairs and Community Development Divisions. She works diligently to enhance government and business partnerships and has brought awareness to Hall County’s agribusiness industry as the “true voice” of agriculture in the region. Dixie promoted community development through beautification and healthcare initiatives. She is a graduate of Leadership Hall County and Leadership Georgia and recently chaired the three-day Leadership Georgia Annual Meeting held in Gainesville-Hall County. “Dixie Truelove is the epitome of a great leader, completes a job in a first-class manner, and always tackles a task with determination and a smile,” said Chamber President/CEO Kit Dunlap. Dixie serves on the Hall County Planning Commission, is a former President of the Gainesville-Hall County Junior League, and a founder of WomenSource. Dixie and her brother are the owners of Truelove Diary in North Hall County.
Ambassador of the Year
Megan Martin, American Security Shredding
Ambassador of the Year was presented to Megan Martin, American Security Shredding. Megan was chosen by fellow Ambassadors for the award that recognizes service and involvement with Chamber membership projects and activities.