In launching its inaugural Newton Small Business Awards, the Charles River Regional Chamber (CRRC) is seeking nominations for Newton-based small businesses, individuals, and nonprofits that have made significant positive impacts on the Newton community this year.
There will be six awards, in two award categories:
- Public choice awards, voted on by the public following the initial nominations:
- Best New Small Business
- Outstanding Independent Retailer of the Year
- Outstanding Independent Restaurant of the Year
- Judge-selected awards, decided upon by the CRRC’s awards committee from among the public’s nominations:
- Small Businessperson of the Year
- Nonprofit Leader of the Year
- Small Business Champion of the Year
Lauren Berman, founder of All Over Newton, which provides Newton’s small businesses with affordable and effective ways to promote themselves, said that she is pleased with the concept of the awards.
“I think it’s a great idea,” she said. “Other cities and towns do something similar in terms of recognizing small businesses, so I think it makes a lot of sense for Newton to do that, too.”
Berman said that she foresees several ways in which the awards could benefit Newton businesses.
“[The awards will] just create awareness that these small businesses are out there. And then, when you’re recognizing some, [the awards will] create awareness of those that are really doing some exceptional things,” she said.
CRRC President Greg Reibman and Berman shared similar sentiments regarding uplifting local enterprises. Reibman said that he was motivated to have the CCRC create the awards because he wanted to celebrate Newton’s small businesses.
“We’ve been wanting to do something to recognize the small businesses in [Newton], but also create a special event where people from all across the city would get together and network,” he said. “So the awards are part of it, but really it’s an opportunity for the new business community and elected leaders and members of the public to get together and celebrate what’s great about our businesses.”
Reibman said the goal of the awards is to shed light on Newton’s businesses and highlight local shopping opportunities to potential customers.
“We hope it will draw attention to a few special businesses and business owners, but more importantly, just to remind people that Newton has a lot of great businesses, and it’s a great place to shop and dine locally”, he said.
Nominations must be made online by Sunday, August 3, and the CRRC encourages community members to make as many nominations as they would like. After nominations are closed, voting for the public-choice awards will open in the coming weeks, and the CRRC’s awards committee will determine the judge-selected awards.
Results will be announced this Fall at the CRRC’s first annual Newton Small Business Awards event at the West Newton Cinema.
James Garrett is a Fig City New summer intern and a rising junior at Newton South HS, where he is a News Editor for the Lion’s Roar newspaper.
