Princeton Chamber grants awards to local businesses

‘Business of Distinction’ awards go to five firms.

First Annual Business of Distinction Awards. Presentations will take place at the Chamber Trade Fair on Thursday, August 28th, recognizing businesses that are impressing their customers and providing quality goods and services despite the current economic challenges.—>
By: Melinda Sherwood
   Five area companies were recently selected to receive the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s "2003 Business of Distinction Award."
   They are: Small World Coffee, jaZams book and toy store and Acorn Glen assisted-living facility of Princeton; Educational Testing Service of Lawrence; and Princeton Fuel Oil of Hamilton.
   The awards will be formally presented at the Chamber Trade Fair on Thursday, August 28 at The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village.
   The winners were selected on Friday, August 1 from a panel of judges that included Ivan Becker, president of the Princeton chapter of SCORE; Michael Hierl, president of Pacesetter Group of companies and chairman of the board of the Princeton Chamber; Pamela Hersh, director of community and state affairs at Princeton University; Princeton Township Mayor Phyllis Marchand; Princeton Borough Mayor Marvin Reed; and Nancy Kieling, executive director of Princeton Area Community Foundation.
   Princeton Chamber President Kristin Appelget presided over the meeting but did not weigh in on the selection of winners.
   Approximately 25 companies submitted nominations for the chamber award, created to recognize local businesses for their customer service and community spirit. Nominees were asked to submit a statement explaining how their respective businesses exceed customer expectations, provide superior customer service and give back to the community.
   "The Chamber felt it was important to recognize businesses that are doing good things in the community and going to extra lengths to provide excellent customer service, and businesses in the area that are known as employers of choice — places people want to work," said Ms. Appelget. "I think the diversity of companies that came out was particularly impressive. It shows that businesses of all sizes can be active in their communities and that they can do good things for their clients and their employees."
   The staff of Small World Coffee entertains their customers by providing a fun-paced, theatrical environment, according to Matthew Errico, the general manager. "Concretely speaking," he said, "our staff geeks out on remembering what customers routinely order, preparing drinks before customers order (it’s hard for them to remember what they get in their caffeine-deprived state) and challenge each other to produce the best-looking and tasting drinks."
   Opened in 1993 by husband and wife team Jessica Durrie and Brant Cosaboom, the Witherspoon Street café expanded in 2001 to make room for additional seating, a beverage bar and performance space. A visible member of the community, the café hosts live music, movies and art shows, and donates product to groups such as the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association and The Arts Council of Princeton.
   Acorn Glen assisted-living facility at 775 Mount Lucas Road goes above and beyond by creating a home-like environment for its 90 residents, according to Fern Spadafino, executive director. "From encouraging the residents to display their favorite family photos throughout the home, to baking someone’s favorite cookie recipe, or the addition of our house dog, Reba, the familiar sights, smells and sounds of home are promoted at Acorn Glen," said Ms. Spadafino.
   Princeton’s first assisted-living facility opened in 2000 and is composed of 79 assisted-living units including 67 studios and 12 two-bedroom units. There are 21 special-service units for residents with Alzheimer’s Disease or memory impairment. The 10 acres of grounds include walking paths, birdfeeders and a vegetable garden.
   Acorn Glen provides free educational lectures to the community and free meeting space for local organizations such as the Princeton Resource Center, New Jersey Partners and The American Red Cross. It also initiated a $1000 scholarship to a graduating senior of Princeton High School pursuing a career in the health care field.
   jaZams book and toy store at 15 Hulfish Street brought magic to the downtown earlier this year, on the eve of the release of the fifth Harry Potter book. Owner Joanne Farrugia and her staff helped design a replica of Diagon Alley — the wizarding community’s equivalent to Main Street — in the parking garage off of Hulfish Street. In spite of heavy rains, nearly 500 people attended.
   Opened in 2000, jaZams is a local chain with additional shops in Montgomery and Pennington. The staff specializes in making recommendations to customers based on age and interest.
   Ms. Farrugia is president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association and is actively involved with the Borough Merchants Association.
   Educational Testing Service, the world’s largest private educational testing and measurement organization, serves the needs of individuals, educational institutions and government bodies in almost 200 countries and administers more than 12 million tests worldwide.
   Although its primary mission has been the development of tests and assessment tools, ETS is poised to broaden its scope beyond the U.S. measurement space into the worldwide education and training space, according to the company Web site. ETS is increasing its presence in certain education markets and internationally to offer a broader array of assessments.
   ETS also has two subsidiaries: CapStar, a leading provider of training, online distance learning, assessment and the development and delivery of certification and licensure exams for associations, corporations, government and academic markets; and, ETS Global BV.
   ETS is a major supporter of local charities including HomeFront & Mercer Street Friends, Race for the Cure, and the United Way, for which it raised about $240,000 last year.
   "Every year, ETS funds countless nonprofits to further their good work," said Bernadette Gur, a spokesperson for the company. "Every staff member at ETS, may use a full day (with pay) as a ‘community service day,’ going out into the community to work with any number of nonprofits."
   When customers dial Princeton Fuel Oil, a heating and air conditioning installation and service company in Hamilton, they expect prompt service. "What they may not expect is to have the boss answer the phone," said William "Ed" Griffin, general manager.
   "The combination of small in large gives us the operating clout of a major utility while allowing us to interact with our customers as a small family company would do," explained Mr. Griffin.
   Serving the Mercer County area since 1941, Princeton Fuel is expanding into new markets and has a team of 20 installers who provide 24-hour heating and air conditioning emergency services, as well as new installations, existing system replacement, repairs and routine maintenance services.
   Mr. Griffin is secretary of the Princeton Chamber, past president of the Princeton Rotary and assistant governor to the Rotary District. He is also past president of the Mercer County Fuel Merchants Association and is board member of the Better Home Heat Council.

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Help
us to recognize a business in the area that is deserving of this honor
by nominating them to be considered as one of the five winners in this
inaugural year. Please fill out the nomination form
below. Nominees will be contacted to fill out a complete nomination
form to be reviewed by the selection

committee. Businesses of all sizes and all industry groups are invited
to participate. Self

nominations will be accepted.

For additional information send an e-mail to info@princetonchamber.org,
or call the Chamber office at (609) 520-1776.

Tell us about a local business that has exceeded your expectations…

Tell us about a local business whose employees provide superior customer
service…

Tell us about a local business that goes “above and beyond”
in supporting activities in the community…
 
 
 



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