Biddeford + Saco Chamber honors local businesses and organizations

BIDDEFORD — Members of the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry, along with honorees and invited community guests, gathered at the Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford on Thursday Feb. 2 to pay tribute to the 2022 Chamber Business Award winners during the Chamber’s annual meeting.

After delivering welcoming remarks and a brief bit of business, Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry Executive Director Jim LaBelle, accompanied by board chair Lori Cote, announced the winners nominated and chosen by their Chamber peers across a number of categories.

 The 2022 Employer of the Year Award was presented to Elements, Books-Coffee-Beer located at 265 Main St. in Biddeford, the 2022 Large Business of the Year went to Maine Community Bank (formerly known as Biddeford Savings) with a local branch at 254 Main St., Biddeford, and the 2022 Small Business of the Year Award went to Aquaboggan Water Park, at its landmark 980 Portland Road location in Saco.

The award for the 2022 Non-Profit of the Year was shared between two local agencies, each with strong community based missions. Apex Youth Connections, located at 45 Granite St., Biddeford was acknowledged for their work connecting youth with the community as part of a long range goal to support happier and healthier transitions into adulthood through building lifelong relationships. The Rotary Club of Biddeford Saco was co-winner of the 2022 Non-profit award, with their long-standing mission of “service above self.” Under the leadership of current club president Brenda Pollock, the club is fast approaching their 102nd Anniversary with several exciting events already on their calendar for 2023.

The 2022 New Business of the Year Award, presented to a business opened within the 18 months prior to the nomination deadline, was awarded to Danielle Gerrish, owner and artistic designer of Mia Sorella’s Studio: Custom Furniture and Design at 26 Common St., Saco.

“Community is a huge part of a business’ success. I believe if we embrace the community, the community in return embraces us,” said Gerrish upon receiving the award.

Making the leap to open a storefront business requires believing in yourself and the product/services you provide, as well as being a bit of a risk taker, particularly when launching a new business mid-pandemic. When asked what inspired Mia Sorella’s, Gerrish said, “My sister, ‘Mia Sorella’ Wendy. She passed away in 2019 from breast cancer. She is my muse. She couldn’t do this, so I’ll do it for both of us.”

When speaking with Gerrish, it was clear that she values relationships with her clientele.  

“My customers should know they matter to me. Their stories and their lives matter to me. I’m not just building clientele, I am making friendships.”

She said she loves to share her creativity, talents and experience to curate custom pieces and an aesthetically engaging store people will respond to.

“I love to share and help, and I want my business to thrive in that personal touch capacity,” she said.

Jennifer Day can be reached at jennervingday@gmail.com