By Julie Varney
The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce will name its Small Business of the Year on Friday morning at the chamber's annual recognition breakfast.
Eleven area businesses are in competition for the honor after winning monthly honors during 2009. For the last several weeks, profiles of the Haverhill businesses have appeared in The Haverhill Gazette.
A Rookie of the Year will also be chosen from among the newer businesses in the city.
Coldwell Banker Residential in Haverhill was named Small Business of the Month for May.
Out-of-town winners were:
King Graphics: Located in Plaistow, N.H., this business offers its customers more than 50 years combined experience in full service printing, designing and mailing. Owner Allan Sayers founded the business in 1986, and has seen his business move from primarily traditional offset printing to digital technology. Sayers prides himself on offering his customers an experience they will not find at the typical printing and copy store, which he attributes to being a small business.
"We tend to watch out for our customers," he said. "It's a little more personalized being small like we are."
King Graphics was honored by the chamber as November 2009's small business of the month.
Freshwater Farms: Located in Atkinson, N.H., Freshwater Farms has recently entered the world of Facebook, creating a Facebook page on which people can become a fan of the business. Shop manager Rhonda Locke said the farm has many fans, who come in for gourmet gift baskets, wide range of plants and "awesome" truffles.
"It's a place where people can come in, find a gift and beautify their home," she said.
Freshwater Farms was honored by the chamber as April 2009's small business of the month.
Rockingham Toyota Scion: Located in Salem, N.H., the Broadway business has been family-owned for 24 years. During that time, it received numerous awards and played an active role in the surrounding community. As a small business, they said they differentiate themselves by delivering quality and personal service. This is what Emmett Horgan, owner of Rockingham Toyota Scion, calls the "Rockingham difference."
Rockingham Toyota Scion was honored by the chamber as March 2009's small business of the month.
Cartridge World: Located in Plaistow, N.H., Cartridge World is part of the world's fastest growing ink and toner remanufacturing retailer. Owner Zeina Saghbini seized upon this expanding market and fruitful business opportunity Cartridge World offers franchisers. Cartridge World prides itself on providing a way for consumers to save on printing costs, save cash and save the environment by recycling and refilling ink cartridges.
Cartridge World was honored by the chamber as February 2009's small business of the month.
If you go
What: Small Business Recognition breakfast
Who: Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
When: 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 5
Where: Michaels Function Rooms, Alpha Street
How: Tickets are $25 for chamber members; $35 for nonmembers. Visit www.haverhillchamber.com to register.
