Euclid Local Businesses Honored at Annual “Taste of Euclid” Chamber Event

On Thursday, April 14th over 150 local and state attendees gathered to honor ten Euclid businesses, organizations and business persons at the Irish American Club for the Euclid Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Chamber Awards Event.  Every year nominations are submitted from the community and the City of Euclid for the Euclid Chamber’s various awards for Large Business, Small Business, Organization, Business Person, Bluestone and Lifetime Achievement recognition. Each recipient received a Proclamation from the City of Euclid along with special commendations from Governor Kasich and Representative Kent Smith and a plaque from the Euclid Chamber of Commerce.

The event was a community collaboration with local chefs donating a sampling of their best food for the evening.  Guests enjoyed a variety of delicious food from Beach Club Bistro, Bistro 185, fRedHot, Great Scott Tavern, Mama Catena’s, Muldoon’s, Paradise Island Saloon, Paragon, The Standard and desserts from Dave’s Market. The Euclid Brewing Company, set to open in Downtown Euclid in May, showcased their Wild Woman Wheat brew.

The 2015 Chamber Awardees:

Large Business of the Year:  AAble Rents

Family owned and operated for over 45 years, AAble Rents has grown from a basement in 1970 to 3 Cleveland area locations through the 80s and 90s and finally consolidating under one roof in Euclid in 1999 on Chardon Road.  In 2012 grandsons Ramsey and Brandon Duqum first purchased the business and by 2014 had purchased the building having chosen Euclid as the best location for their growth.  With former tenants having left, the Duqums have been able to gradually reinvest by upgrading their company’s products and facilities.

Today they offer quality ancillary rental products for small to high end parties, weddings and corporate events as well as high-end tenting and flooring.  They developed and patented the country’s FIRST and only full engineered wood center-pole system for tenting which they now sell and ship all over the country to other rental companies. 

With business expansion came the need to upgrade their facility which literally was falling down due to age.  As Brandon Duqum says “everything comes in phases”.  Phase I began with roof and front façade repair. They are currently in Phase II adding 5 more loading docks to the current 2, a “will call” area with patio , work and customer lounge and renovated employee area.  The future phases will add a day care and more office space and conference area.

Small Business of the Year:  Infield Chiropractic

Infield Chiropractic, a family business, has been dedicated to providing superior chiropractic care to Northeast Ohio since 1977. Their original location is in Kingsville, Ohio but in 2013 they renovated an old shades and blinds store on Lakeshore Blvd. next to the Paragon as their second location in downtown Euclid allowing them to reach more people and spread awareness of chiropractic in the Cleveland area.  They saw a strong need in our area for their services and Euclid was a wonderful location to expand. 

Since their opening Dr. Paul Infield and his staff have immersed themselves in the community.  Always eager to serve, Infield has been a sponsor or supported numerous events throughout the Euclid and Chamber community, from the YMCA “Get Winded” Run to involvement with area youth sports organizations to educate about the treatment of sports related injuries.  Dr. Paul continues to enhance his skill set and knowledge of Sports Chiropractic and has participated in the internationally recognized Sports Chiropractic Diplomat program.   Dr. Infield is currently renovating another storefront on Lakeshore Blvd and will be moving into the expanded space soon.

Large Organization of the Year: HELP Foundation, Inc.,

HELP Foundation has been a vital part of the Euclid community since 2009, when they opened their Adult Day and Vocational Program Center on Shore Center Drive along with services through the Seniors Program at the Lakefront Community Center. Organized in 1965, today HELP cares for more than 700 individuals each year in 27 locations throughout Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Summit counties and operates two residential facilities in Euclid that provide a welcoming home for 7 clients. Their mission is to “ensure that people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (or IDD) have the homes, environments and opportunities to be valued members of their communities”.

In 2015, HELP Foundation purchased 4 acres of vacant land on Euclid Avenue and completed their new 10,500 SF office building which today serves as their administrative headquarters and training facility along with a new 8,300 SF storage building housing their many transportation vehicles and archived documents.   With this new addition to the community HELP Foundation has brought on additional employees. 

Small Organization of the Year:  PetFix Northeast Ohio

Three years ago PetFix, transformed a former beauty salon at 885 East 222nd Street into its clinic. The move was significant for the small non-profit because the organization had traditionally provided spay/neuter services through a mobile unit only that traveled across northeast Ohio. In its 10-year history, more than 50,000 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens have been fixed.  A permanent location was needed and in June of 2015 the mobile clinic was retired and replaced with a full-time transport program which now allows pet owners from Cleveland’s inner city and surrounding 4 counties who have no means of getting to and from the clinic, access to PetFix services.

Besides the important low-cost surgeries available to Euclid residents, the staff is dedicated to educating the public through community outreach. In the past two years, nearly 1,700 pets attended four wellness clinics held in Euclid and three Cleveland communities. Besides receiving vouchers for spay/neuter services at PetFix, each pet received a wellness exam and vaccinations from veterinarians who volunteered for the events. Nearly 450 pets who attended the events, were fixed at the Euclid clinic! 

PetFix also partners with numerous community cat caregiving groups, including the Euclid Beach and Collinwood Feral Cat projects in 2013/14 where nearly 300 owned and free-roaming cats living in the 44119 and 44110 zip codes were fixed at no cost to the owners/caregivers.

Business Person of the Year:  Janet Scott, owner of Great Scott Tavern

Janet Scott felt that Euclid needed a nice restaurant with cocktails, nice atmosphere, good food and reasonable costs within the city of Euclid.  A lot of time and effort, including working with architects, lawyers and contractors, securing permits, financing, etc., were all involved in making the restaurant what it is today. Originally, she actually started out with the idea of opening a small coffee shop and ended up as we know the restaurant today! 

Great Scott Tavern is still adding much needed décor, for example a fireplace, wall waterfall, wallpaper and artwork as well as entertainment. Janet Scott is also coming up with ideas such as wine and dinner packages, amateur night and themed programs that we’ll see in the near future to enjoy! 

Janet grew up in Collinwood and moved to Euclid where she met her husband, Kenneth W. Scott, who ran the Addressograph Multigraph plant. Kenneth was an engineer, involved himself in real estate, was a hard worker, he enjoyed continued education and teaching. He did not let life fly by. Janet learned from him and opened the restaurant in honor of her husband, as he too would have wanted this for our city. 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill Cervenik

Bill Cervenik has compiled a lifetime of service to the City of Euclid and Cuyahoga County as well as giving back to the community that he has called home for his entire life. 

Bill was elected to office on November 4, 2003 as the 13th Mayor of the City of Euclid. In November of 2011, the residents re-elected him to serve a third consecutive term. Years ago, he began his political career as Euclid Ward I Councilman, serving from November, 1989 to April, 1997. He became Euclid Council President in April 1997 where he served until November, 2001. 

Bill Cervenik has a long history of giving-back to the community as a member of many organizations. Some of his associations include: President of the Euclid Exchange Club, Treasurer of the Club 59'ers, member of the American Institute of C.P.A.s, Irish American Club, Euclid Slovenian Society, Euclid Chamber of Commerce and the Audit Committee of Euclid City Schools. Bill formerly served as a Board Member of the Euclid Family YMCA, Trustee - Euclid Development Corp. and was the Chamber's Euclid Business Person of the Year in 1995 and 2007. He received the American Legion Citizen of the Year in 2007 and the Euclid Hospital Community Service Award in 2008. Rose Mary Center presented him the Angel Award in 2009.

He also is a Board member of the RTA since 2006, including the last three years as Chairman of the Finance Commission.  Bill has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1983 and a partner with Gallagher, Cervenik & Associates from 1985 to the present.  For the past 12 years he had served as Mayor of the City of Euclid and now has been named President of Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School.

The Bluestone award recognizes local businesses and/or organizations/departments that have been constant supporters or contributed to the betterment of Euclid and its residents.

Bluestone Award:  Bronko’s Drive-In Beverage

Dave and Joyce Heuer have owned and operated Bronko’s for over 36 years and have been Chamber members for at least 30.  Both local residents and graduates of Euclid High School, a friend of the family who originally owned Bronko’s was looking for a buyer (Bronko was the original owner’s nickname!).  Dave had been working for Cuyahoga County and decided he’d like to have his own business.  In the 70s’ there were only 2 drive-in beverage stores locally.  

Today they are the only local area drive-in beverage shop and have brought in one of their 3 children, Lisa, as store manager.  Community relations and service have been important in the success of their business.  Over the years Dave has been a member of the Euclid Jaycees serving as President for 2 years and serving as President of the Euclid Jaycees Charitable Foundation.  

He was also on the Board of Directors for Shore Cultural Center, serving as President for one and a half years.  He was also active with the Euclid Hockey Association and is a current member of the Sons of the American Legion Euclid Post 343. 

At Dave’s side for over 46 years, Joyce has been a nurse at Euclid Hospital retiring in 2013.  During that time she was an active member of the Euclid PTA and Euclid Rotary. Wanting to further support their pocket of Euclid, Bronko’s has been active with the East 200th Street Stroll for 10 years and have continued to make numerous contributions to many Euclid Community events. 

Bluestone Award:  Lee Bock

Lee began his work in Euclid in 1974.   Administering the operations of the City of Euclid Lee managed the departments of Streets and Sewers, Public Buildings, Motor Maintenance, Recreation Maintenance, Building and Housing, Engineering, Refuse Collection, Recycling and the Waste Water Treatment. 

Lee also managed improvements at the Waste Water Treatment Facility. This is the largest public works project Euclid has ever undertaken at over $100 million. During his tenure he worked hard to keep sewer rates low and he always strove to negotiate the best costs to keep service fees low for businesses and Euclid’s residents. He served as the Mayor's alternate representative for the NOACA Governing Board and was a Certified LPA for the City as well as Flood Plain Manager.  Lee recently retired. 

Bluestone Award:  Chris Frey

Chris served as the Director of Law for the City of Euclid from 2003 until his retirement in December, 2015. Prior to this position he was the Supervising attorney for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law and a Master of Business Administration from Cleveland State University.

Chris negotiated numerous challenges for Euclid with regard to rezoning, redistricting and other legal issues. It was always important to him to find fair, just and economical resolutions to the legal issues presented with Providence Church, the Justice Department and other sources. He recently retired from Euclid’s Law Department. 

Bluestone Award:  Frank Pietravoia.

Frank served as the Director of Economic Development for our city for nearly 9 years then moved to the position of Assistant to the Mayor for Development where he oversaw major economic and community development initiatives. The two largest were the planning of Lincoln Electric’s Welding Technology Center and the Waterfront project we all can enjoy. At the end of this past year he officially retired.

Frank received his Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University and had worked as a Chief City Planner or Director of Development for several cities ever since. He served Cleveland and Lakewood, but it was during Frank’s years here in Euclid that our city benefitted from his expertise. Frank is now enjoying his retirement. 

The Annual Dinner Committee, Chairperson, Cheryl Cameron of Action CARSTAR Collision, was assisted by Dana Heil, Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Rachel McKelvey, American Cancer Society, Sarah Gyorki, SKG Consulting, LaBena Fleming, Hospice of the Western Reserve, and Kristen Klatka of the Euclid Public Library. 

The Euclid Chamber of Commerce congratulates all of this year’s award recipients and is grateful for the restaurants and members who support this popular, annual event.