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Submitted by Thurston Economical Development Council

The Thurston Economic Development Council celebrated excellence in Thurston County businesses and successes of 2017 for our local economy at Indian Summer Golf & Country Club at the 2018 Business Awards Gala & Investor Dinner Friday. Over 220 community members celebrated thirteen nominees and four winning businesses in the categories of New Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Non-profit of the Year and Large Business of the Year. The winners of the 2017 awards are all businesses with their own unique stories and history and all have a significant, positive impact on the Thurston County community.

2017 Thurston Economic Development Council Business Awards Winners:

New Business of the Year: Bittersweet Chocolates

Bittersweet Chocolates was born from an idea that two retired South Puget Sound Community College professors, Cindy Uhrich and Deb Smith. They had felt “bittersweet” about leaving their students behind for retirement life. Bittersweet Chocolates is located in Downtown Olympia, serving the local community through their physical and online stores. All of their chocolates are hand-made and designed in-house year-round for all occasions. Cindy and Deb are very understanding of the fact that much of a retail experience is the service and employee element of the transaction. They have made a point of providing employment opportunities to both youth and seniors and provide them with training and knowledge of their products that ensures a positive experience to the shopper every time. Cindy and Deb like to stay on top of what is happening in the culinary and fine chocolate industries and plan to keep their products innovative and relevant in the future. Bittersweet Chocolates is expanding their product line by carrying wines and adding wine & chocolate tasting workshops to their calendar. Cindy and Deb love what they do and it comes through in their beautiful chocolates.

Thurston County EDC Bittersweet
Bittersweet Chocolate, new business winner. Photo courtesy: Thurston EDC

Small Business of the Year: Eastside Big Tom’s

Eastside Big Tom’s is a beloved fast food drive-thru and sit-down restaurant in Olympia. The view off of 4th Avenue comes alive with giant dinosaurs, the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, “Big Tom” figurines dressed in recognizable garb and even a Tardis.  Stepping inside the new pizza and ice cream shop, the experience continues with a superhero wall viewable through a stickered window and a giant shark head! This collection of charming “absurdity”, as Michael Fritsch, owner of Big Tom’s, describes it is one of the most iconic and recognizable destinations in Thurston County.  Behind the backdrop of characters and wacky décor is a dedicated team working to create an amazing customer experience. Michael is proud to say that his team is the reason for the success of Big Tom’s. He values his staff above all else in the business and makes sure they are taken care of because a happy staff leads to even happier customers. Michael Fritsch has impacted more than a generation of our community’s youth by providing a supportive, welcoming, and enjoyable work environment. For many, it is their first time in the workforce. He is committed to ensuring that his employees know that if they work hard, they can continue employment and even come back after leaving under most circumstances. Obviously, Big Tom’s customer base is also key to the business’ success. Big Tom’s has a loyal Thurston County following spanning three generations. The business continues to honor that loyalty by giving back to the community with free pictures with Santa and donations to local sports teams.

Thurston County EDC Eastside Big Tom
Eastside Big Tom, small business award winner. Photo courtesy: Thurston EDC

Non-profit of the Year: Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB)

Garden-Raised Bounty, or GRuB’s, mission is to grow healthy food, people, and community. GRuB is doing so much cool stuff, we can’t possibly tell you all of it here!  Their core programs have focused on youth, including GRuB-in-the-Schools which is their school-based youth leadership and food justice program that uses popular education strategies to engage young people in relevant relationships and environment-based learning. The GRuB School model reduces educational disparities for low-income and disengaged students while raising public awareness around issues of food security and environmental sustainability. With their hands in the soil, students find greater self-esteem, self-care, academic confidence, and a profound sense of environmental and civic responsibility. They develop trust in themselves and others, and experience themselves as active participants in community change. Students earn credits, participate in farm-based service learning, and are supported in reaching academic goals and planning for post-secondary opportunities.

The Victory Garden Project has built nearly 3,000 vegetable gardens serving low-income South Puget Sound families. They build 50+ vegetable gardens annually for families living at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. The program is led by low-income women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and/or veterans– who are also laying groundwork for a second community-based “Victory Farm.” The new Victory Farm is being created in partnership with the City of Lacey and the Thurston County Food Bank and will be adjacent to a new food bank hub in the City of Lacey. Food will be grown on-site by veteran volunteers and donated to food bank clients.

Thurston County EDC Grub
GRuB, non-profit award winner. Photo courtesy: Thurston EDC

Large Business of the Year: Callisons

In 1903, I.P. Callison started a business processing cascara bark right here in the Pacific Northwest. Callisons, today, remains a family-owned flavor manufacturer and supplier for the oral care, confectionery and beverage industries, with a strong research and development team that requires a broad range of specific skill sets. Callisons is headquartered in Thurston County and has recently opened up offices and manufacturing facilities in the Midwest US, China and India. Callisons’ efforts and direct-to-source relationships with farmers in North America demonstrate an innovative and sustainable connection to their supply chain.  Callisons is known for innovating whenever possible. For example, in 1952, they brought spearmint production to the Pacific Northwest – helping to skyrocket the spearmint oil production industry from 32,000 pounds to 1.1 million pounds over the following decade. Callisons has a professional work culture that encourages creative thinking and community involvement. Both the business, and their employees support many local charities. Their laboratory maintains a strong connection with local colleges and supports an ongoing internship program.

Thurston County EDC Callisons
Callisons, large business award winner. Photo courtesy: Thurston EDC

The Thurston EDC, would like to thank all of our sponsors for making Friday’s event possible:

Epic Event Décor, South Puget Sound Community College, Pardiman Productions, The Evergreen State College, RHD Enterprises, FORMA Constructions, Saint Martin’s University, Callisons, StraderHallett, PS, KPFF Consultants, Olympia Federal Savings, Kidder Mathews, Hot Shotz Coffee Co, Timberland Bank, Bank of the Pacific, Print NW, MJR Development and our awards sponsor, Port of Olympia.

Nominees in each Category

New Business of the Year: The IN TEAM, Bittersweet Chocolates and MiSo.

Small Business of the Year: Thomas Architecture Studios, Eastside Big Tom’s and Bringing Back Brewing….and Cider Making (Matchless Brewing Co, Triceratops Brewing Co, Tart Cider and Whitewood Cider).

Non-Profit of the Year: Garden-raised Bounty (GRuB) and SideWalk.

Large Business of the Year: Saint Martin’s University and Callisons.

Each winner participated in creating a video by Pardiman Productions to show why they deserved to win their category. CLICK HERE TO SEE THOSE VIDEOS.

For more information on the Gala please visit the Thurston EDC Website.

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