Business & Tech

Chamber of Commerce Honors Highland Baking, Marcellos

Two businesses and one individual are recipients of Northbrook Chamber of Commerce's sixth annual business awards.

Customer service and community involvement are the characteristics that define this year's winners of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce's sixth annual business awards.

Business recipients Highland Baking and Marcello's Restaurant and individual recipient Dan Gelfond will be honored at the chamber's annual meeting and dinner April 3.

Recognized as "Corporate Citizen of the Year," moved to Northbrook from Lincolnwood in 2007 and is now one of the biggest employers in town. The bread supplier regularly donates food to the Northfield Township Food Pantry, to Northbrook Days and to other organizations around the area. Highland Baking also frequently shares its parking lot with Glenbrook North or provides baked goods to the high school, which is located just across the street. 

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“If we’re in the community – we’re here to help,” CEO & President Jim Rosen said in a press release. “When we are approached to make a donation by a local organization, we don’t say no. We just step up and help in any way we can.”

"Small Business of the Year" winner is also know for its community connections, according to the Chamber of Commerce. The Italian restaurant also moved to Northbrook in 2007, and president Bill Bauer said his first goal was to become a neighborhood institution. 

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Today, general manager Larry Goodman is on a first-name basis with many of his customers, says Bauer, and the restaurant is involved with several local groups including St. Norbert Church, Northbrook Days and many area schools.

"Marcello’s has been a terrific addition to Northbrook," chamber selection committee member Barbara Winter said in the release. "Their growth and expansion over the years, as well as the energy and excitement they have brought into the downtown are just a few of the reasons they were chosen for this award."

Like Marcello's, "Volunteer of the Year" Dan Gelfond has also built a following. Since he took on leadership of the chamber's First Friday networking series ten years ago, he has nearly doubled attendance. The founder of Keepsake Family Tree Video, Gelfond leads the meetings with a sense of humor and an eye toward results.

“The Northbrook Chamber is extremely fortunate to have Dan Gelfond lead our First Friday event,” regular attendee and board chair Steve Lewis said in the release. “Each and every month Dan not only keeps more than 100 networkers in line but manages to entertain the group with trivia and an occasional joke. Keeping everyone focused within a strict time period is not easy, but Dan makes it happen.”


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