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Business community year in review 2012

| 02 Jan 2013 | 09:12
    All Bridal Trail visitors were invited to attend a reception under the tent chaired by Michael Bagley and courtesy of his bakery, Favís Treatery, and Jean-Claudeís Artisan Bakery. Emcee Mike Villanueva proposed a Champaign toast to all the brides-to-be courtesy of Peckís Wine and Spirits.
    All Bridal Trail visitors were invited to attend a reception under the tent chaired by Michael Bagley and courtesy of his bakery, Favís Treatery, and Jean-Claudeís Artisan Bakery. Emcee Mike Villanueva proposed a Champaign toast to all the brides-to-be courtesy of Peckís Wine and Spirits.
    Heavy rain throughout the day discouraged many visitors from attending the first annual Pink Friday on Oct. 19. Nevertheless, the celebration to support the battle against breast cancer, was a financial success.
    Heavy rain throughout the day discouraged many visitors from attending the first annual Pink Friday on Oct. 19. Nevertheless, the celebration to support the battle against breast cancer, was a financial success.
    Photos by Roger Gavan Executive Director Michael Johndrow and Corporate Impressions owner Janine Dethmers display the chamber's new Visitor Guides.
    Photos by Roger Gavan Executive Director Michael Johndrow and Corporate Impressions owner Janine Dethmers display the chamber's new Visitor Guides.

WARWICK — Despite continued slow economic growth and uncertainty in 2012, there were far more entrepreneurs throughout the Town of Warwick who decided to take a risk and expand or open new businesses than those who closed their doors.

And like most other years, the Warwick business community saw many new openings, expansions, a few closings, good news, sad news and Hurricane Sandy.

Michael Johndrow, executive director of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce, reported attending approximately 45 grand openings and anniversaries this past year. And not all ribbon cutting ceremonies involved new businesses.

For example, official ribbon cuttings with local officials and chamber members participating were in order when Fratello Restaurant expanded its facility to include a party room, when Caffé a la Mode added another dining area and when Forever Jewelers moved next door.

Other moves, expansions and consolidations included those of General’s Garden, Promo Sports, Silvios Italian Villa, Mulberry Tree Learning Center, Warwick Nails and Spa, WTBQ, Nobel Pies, Taco Hombre and Silken Wool.

Grand openings
Although there were some closings, there were far more grand openings.

They included Warwick Counseling Services, Luca Trattoria and Pizzeria, Fetch Bar and Grill, Mistucky Creek, R and D Accounting, Eat Sweet shops in Pine Island and Warwick, Two Mops, Mangos Tortilla Grill, The Rock Academy, Elizabeth Cassidy Law Office, A Repeat Performance Antiques Etc., Laura’s Sweets, Sew-Cology, Sgambati Fine Art Gallery, Conscious Fork, Emmerich Tree Farm, Baer and McIntosh Real Estate, Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, Crystal Run Healthcare, Capelli Salon and Spa, Fav’s, Al Laghetto Restaurant and Bellvale Market just to name some.

Anniversaries
There were quite a few significant anniversaries.

Warwick Valley Telephone turned 110 years when it also announced it had become a business to business agent for Verizon.

Sherry Bukovcan celebrated 30 successful years with Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Businesses passing their 25th year milestone included Pecks Wines and Spirits, Dairy Delite and Riehle Opticians. And other important anniversaries were celebrated by Warwick Valley Bed and Breakfast and Chosun Taekwondo, 15 years; by Regal Homes and Properties, 10 years; and by El Azteca Restaurant, five years.

Other events didn’t warrant a ribbon cutting but were significant nevertheless.

Jubilee Multi-cultural Arts hosted its sixth annual celebration of the Epiphany, Mitchel Corners held its fourth “Block Party,” Track 7 marked sixth year in business after a year-long fund raiser for the Food Pantry with an announcement that it will continue that same fund-raising project as an ongoing commitment.

103 new chamber members
The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and its Merchant Guild were especially active in 2012.

In addition to signing up 103 new members, which brought its total membership to a record 568 members, the chamber continued sponsoring business mixers, networking and educational events, the annual Tourist Guide, EXPO, a Taste of Warwick and the presentation of awards to businesses and business leaders at its 73rd annual membership dinner held at the new Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center.

The chamber announced a new tourism initiative to make Warwick a four-season destination. It also continued to distribute new Visitor Guides.

The Warwick business community continued the celebration of two new events first introduced in 2010, each with added fund raisers for the Food Pantry: Winter Blues Weekend and Warwick Bridal Trail. And participating merchants and organizations held the first annual Pink Friday to support breast cancer research along with traditional celebrations of Springfest, Sidewalk Sale, Ladies Night Out, Queen for a Day, Applefest, Home for the Holidays and Free Music in the Courtyard.

This year the downtown Warwick business district also managed to survive Sandy, a record storm and blackout.


Editor’s note: We know. We haven’t mentioned everything but let’s not forget the visits by Santa, the free horse and wagon rides and the good weather during Home for the Holidays. Happy New Year.

- Roger Gavan