Riverside Foods Named Business of the Year by Riverside Chamber of Commerce
Peter Boutsikakis, co-owner and operator of the local grocery store at 48 E. Burlington St., accepted a trophy on behalf of Riverside Foods at the Riverside Chamber of Commerce's Oct. 15 meeting, honoring the business as the inaugural Business of the Year.
"I was very surprised," Boutsikakis told the Landmark. "I had cast my vote for some other businesses in town, but I actually felt very grateful, especially it being a new award from the Chamber of Commerce... It really felt like a vote of confidence."
Boutsikakis plans to display the award inside the store, allowing shoppers to see it. He expresses gratitude towards his employees and co-owner, Anthony Garbis, recognizing their dedication.
"They all do a really, really great job. We operate like a family there, and our customers find the value to come day after day, week after week, shopping at their neighborhood grocery store," he said.
The Chamber's New Award
The idea for the award originated during discussions within the chamber's executive board, which includes Arrick Pelton (president), Becky Visser (vice president), Adam C. Holzhauer (secretary), and Auggie Garcia (treasurer) around spring of this year.
"What I always do every year with these members is say, ‘What can we do as a chamber to add value? Are we doing enough?’" Pelton shared. "One of the board members brought up the idea. He’d seen other chambers, other [business development] groups doing awards."
Pelton aimed to keep the process simple, sticking with a single award category: Business of the Year. He outlined three key criteria: excellence, community, and connection.
"The first thing we called was excellence. We were looking for a member who consistently provides a great product, service, or experience and demonstrates pride in what they do," Pelton explained. "The other category was community, a member who positively contributes to Riverside and shows commitment to our community and the people who live here. The [last] was connection, a member who builds relationships, supports other local businesses and organizations, and helps strengthen our Riverside business community."
Nominating and Voting Process
For next year, Pelton intends to promote the award earlier, opening a two-month window for nominations before a voting period begins. This year's process was informal, with chamber members voting via email.
Riverside Foods was chosen over nominees Riverside Bank, First American Bank, and Next Level Wellness. Pelton attributes the win to Boutsikakis' active involvement in the community, including volunteering with the village's economic development commission and his chamber membership.