Small business owners honored at Chamber of Commerce luncheon

The Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce held its 39th Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on Tuesday at Hebron Banquet Hall.

The event drew approximately 80 people for lunch and networking followed by the luncheon’s main program.

First, keynote speaker Anne Kirby, founder of Lancaster’s 14,000 square-foot co-working space, The Candy Factory, discussed what lead her to creating co-working spaces and what these spaces can offer to small businesses.

Next, the Leon Hoover Entrepreneurial Spirit award was given to John Noll, owner of Jonestown’s Swatara Coffee Co.

John Noll started dreaming of opening a coffee shop while he was deployed in Afghanistan. In 2017, the dream became a reality when John and his wife, Joanna, bought a Civil War-era house in Joanna’s hometown, Jonestown. Focused on creating community, they named their shop after a river that runs through the town.

The Small Business Person of the Year award (or in this instance, “Persons of the Year” award) was awarded to John and Jennifer Bower, owners of Domino’s at 503 Cumberland Street in Lebanon.

The Bowers opened their first Domino’s in 2000 at 1303 Cumberland Street. Upon their purchasing of the current location in downtown Lebanon, Domino’s corporate was less than enthused and suggested that the location would not work out.

However, the Bowers persevered, and the downtown Lebanon location saw massive sales growth that included doubling average weekly sales.

Being downtown also allows the Bowers to remain active in the community, volunteering at many events.

Those awarded received recognition from the offices of a number of government leaders including U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), U.S. Representative Dan Meuser (R-9), Pennsylvania Senator Mike Folmer (R-Senate District 48), Pennsylvania State Representatives Russ Diamond (R-102) and Frank Ryan (R-101).

Mayor Sherry Capello presented certificates as did County Commissioner Bill Ames on behalf of all the County Commissioners, including Jo Ellen Litz, who was also in attendance at the awards luncheon.

Full Disclosure: The Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce is a sponsor of LebTown. LebTown does not make editorial decisions based on sponsorship status and sponsors do not receive special editorial treatment. Learn more about LebTown’s sponsorship program here.