LEOMINSTER — The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and its economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp., have recognized several small businesses and individuals at their Third Annual Small Business Showcase and Entrepreneur Awards Reception, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton on April 1.
The awards celebrated entrepreneurship in the region and showcased successful NCMDC clients who are helping to advance the region’s economy and communities.
“Our entrepreneurs represent the very best of what North Central Massachusetts has to offer, including the determination, innovation, and grit that make our regional economy thrive,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp.
“With so many outstanding nominees this year, selecting our honorees was no easy task. Every one of them has a story worth telling, and we are proud to recognize those whose contributions to their communities and to our regional economy are nothing short of remarkable.”
Roots Natural Foods
The Community Impact Award recognized Marieke Cormier, owner of Roots Natural Foods, on Crawford Street in Leominster. This award recognizes a business providing needed services in the community.
Roots Natural Foods was founded in 2002 by Cormier’s mother, offering organic groceries, vitamins and supplements, catering and a beloved café. Cormier took the reins in 2011 and has grown the business into a community institution, serving as a gathering place, wellness hub and supporter of local suppliers and causes for nearly a quarter century.
Cormier has built a workplace grounded in respect and teamwork and has been instrumental in cultivating connection, health and local pride in the Leominster community one cup of coffee and one conversation at a time. One way they do that is through cooking classes. They also help out Ginny’s Helping Hand, a food pantry and thrift store based in Leominster.
“We’re honored to receive this award,” said Cormier. “We love doing community work, we’re community-driven.”
Kevin Williams of Roots Natural Foods noted that one thing they do is sponsor the free Walk and Roll Parade which is held as part of the Rail Trail Party for the annual Leominster Starburst Festival, at which people dress in costumes and/or decorate their bikes or strollers, all of which is judged and winners are announced, usually in August
They also donate food, including organizing a food drive at Thanksgiving. This year they made up $20 bags of food for Thanksgiving and gave those to the Athol Food Bank, as they had heard people in Athol were struggling.
“It’s because we love our community,” said Cormier. “We sell health food and hope to make the community a better place.”
Williams said Roots offers a whole experience, “A place for people to come, grab a (healthy) snack, sit on the patio.”
“We want to create the community we want to live in,” said Cormier.
“We are always looking to do more to make Leominster and Fitchburg as cool as it can be, and it’s already pretty cool,” said Williams.
Lov’n Donuts
The Dream Big Award recognized Nellye Molina, owner of Lov’n Donuts, located on Central Street in Leominster. This award recognizes a business owner from a traditionally underserved community or population, including low-income communities, minority-owned businesses or women-owned businesses.
Lov’n Donuts has been a beloved community gathering place since 1987. In 2023, Molina took ownership of the woman-owned small business and began writing its next chapter, one defined by growth, vision and heart. Molina spent nearly two decades building expertise in the restaurant and hotel industries before taking the leap to business ownership, bringing that dedication to Lov’n Donuts and continuing to create a welcoming space for her community.
“I was surprised,” said Molina, noting that “there are many other good businesses.”
Though she said she didn’t have experience running a breakfast and doughnut shop before she bought the business two years, ago, her two decades of experience in hospitality at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Leominster gave her the baseline knowledge she needed to get a good start.
“It’s a learning path, you think things are going to be easy but it’s not always as easy as it looks,” Molina said.
She said a core group of loyal customers has allowed her to succeed in a challenging field, where the breakfast options are numerous.
“I have met people here that have become very loyal customers,” she said, including a group she calls “The French Connection,” a collection of French-Canadians from the neighborhood who always show up for a hearty breakfast at Lov’n Donuts. And she said they’ve even invited her to community events, and she’s attended, to hang out with what is now a group of close friends.
“The most important part is the community support. Because you can be doing things as good as you can, but if there’s no audience, you have nothing. Your audience is the one who will tell you and teach you,” Molina said of her customers.
“I’m very grateful and thankful to the Chamber. They have been very supportive, and they’re still calling, asking, ‘Is there anything you need, that we can help you with?'” she said. And she pointed out that they got her a loan to help put up a new sign for the breakfast place.
And of the award?
“It’s nice, that kind of recognition is what drives you, gives meaning to waking up at 4 a.m. seven days a week, keeps you going. So, I think it’s very motivating.”
Entrepreneur Success
The Entrepreneur Success Award recognized Beth Jaillet, owner of MacMannis Florist & Greenhouse, located in Athol. This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated growth by providing quality jobs and increasing revenue.
MacMannis Florist has been a trusted community landmark since the 1940s. After spending 20 years working within those walls, Jaillet purchased the business, rebranded it as MacMannis Florist & Greenhouse, expanded its offerings, and has continued to build on the shop’s legacy while adding hands-on workshops that bring community members together.
In addition to the recognition, these three small business clients of the NCMDC also took home cash awards of $500 each.
During the program, the Chamber also presented its Community Partner of the Year and Banker of the Year awards.
Other awards
Kevin Kuros, Central Massachusetts regional director of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, was recognized as the Community Partner of the Year for his support and active partnership with the NCMDC in supporting start-up businesses.
Kuros has hosted office hours alongside the NCMDC team, connecting entrepreneurs directly to state programs for capital access, permitting and site selection, and has been an active partner in business expansion projects across the region. He has also been a consistent referral source for the NCMDC’s microloan program, accompanying staff on site visits and bringing a hands-on, collaborative approach to his work with the region’s entrepreneurs.
Martin F. Connors, Jr., former president and CEO of Rollstone Bank & Trust, was honored with the Banker of the Year Award in recognition of his exceptional and long-standing commitment to the NCMDC and the small business community.
Under Connors’ leadership, Rollstone agreed to serve as the administrator of the NCMDC’s revolving microloan fund, providing the billing and operational infrastructure that keeps the program running.
The bank also made direct financial contributions to the NCMDC over the years, support that has helped sustain a program that has deployed over $27 million in microloans and helped create thousands of jobs across the region. Connors recently retired as president and CEO and now serves as executive chair of Rollstone’s Board and vice chair of the River Run Board, Rollstone’s parent company. He has also served as a past chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as a board member of United Way and HealthAlliance Hospital, among others.
The event also featured a Small Business Showcase with more than 25 exhibitor tables, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to connect with business owners, lenders and professional service providers. Attendees voted for their favorite table display, with the winner receiving a $100 Gift Local gift card.
Special thanks to Premier and Award Recipient Sponsor Fitchburg State University; Corporate Sponsors Fidelity Bank and Workers’ Credit Union; Partner Sponsors Main Street Bank, TD Bank, and Bay State Bank; Bag Sponsor Beacon Bank; and sound production by Central Mass Productions.
Original article
Comments