The Peru Gazette

Plattsburgh, NY  The North Country Chamber of Commerce enjoyed hosting their 112th Annual Awards Dinner on January 26th at the West Side Ballroom in Plattsburgh. This year’s event was a sold-out event, selling out in less than two hours and with more than 375 attendees. 

This year’s theme was “Viva Las Vegas”, featuring all the glitz and glam of The Neon City. The Chamber encouraged the attendees to dress the part channeling their inner flair, from sequins and glitter to casino flair all to honor the 2024 Business of the Year, Businessperson of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Trailblazer Award. The Chamber also thanked the 2023 Chamber Board Chairperson, Alex Baire, for her work on their behalf. 

“I believe the Chamber has once again selected and honored an outstanding group of regional business leaders,” says Chamber President Garry Douglas. “From regional to small businesses to individuals, they have all made a positive difference in the North Country economy and are continuing to do so. We applaud and congratulate each of them.” 

2024 Business of the Year: 

Stewart’s Shops 

Established in 1945, Stewart’s Shops originated when the Dake brothers purchased a small dairy and ice cream business in Ballston Spa, evolving into the first Stewart’s ice cream shop. Today, with over 350 locations in New York and southern Vermont and a workforce exceeding 5,000, our success is anchored in vertical integration, employee ownership, and strong values. Led by the second and third generations of the Dake family, including Chairman Bill Dake and President Gary Dake, the company thrives as both a family business and an employee-owned entity. 

Garry Douglas, president/CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce commented, “Stewart’s is an incredible upstate success story, playing a huge and positive role in the daily needs and lives of communities across the North Country, including a major charitable commitment to many local causes. And they never rest on their laurels, continuing major investment in new and upgraded stores across the landscape. We thank them for their broad and deep role in building the North Country economy and their exemplary commitment to the region and its needs!”

2024 Small Business of the Year: 

Black Brook General Store 

Robbie and Michele Timmons, Owner 

The Black Brook General Store, nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks, occupies a converted church turned into a delightful deli. The establishment boasts a full-service deli offering morning delights like egg sandwiches, savory slices of pizza throughout the day, iconic Michigans, and a daily rotating soup selection. Beyond the culinary offerings, they stand as a quintessential general store, providing a diverse range of products including hardware, groceries, gifts, and seasonal items. 

Garry Douglas, introduced Robbie and Michele stating”Robbie and Michele Timmons have exemplified the spirit of entrepreneurs, creating a great new business from an historic church building in the Adirondacks and doing it in the midst of a pandemic. Their commitment and determination have made the Black Brook General Store an instant landmark as well as an exemplary small business success story. This was a very easy and well-deserved choice for Small Business of the year!” 

2024 Businessperson of the Year: Matt Boire, Broker/ Owner CDC Real Estate 

Matthew T. Boire, President of CDC Real Estate Inc., brings over 30 years of award-winning expertise in facilitating U.S. expansion for Canadian companies. As a New York Licensed Real 

Estate Broker since 1992, he’s played a pivotal role in the sale or lease of millions of square feet of commercial/industrial space, particularly in Upstate New York. Beyond real estate, Mr. Boire’s impactful journey includes serving as Vice President of Crossborder Development Corporation until 2008. Now, he collaborates with CDC Real Estate Inc. and Crossborder/CDC Immigration, offering consulting services to companies expanding into the U.S., showcasing his global influence. 

“Matt continues to be an indispensable figure in our area’s connection with Quebec and all of our economic development endeavors. Not to forget his great performance as the new lead in our annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast. He’s a model business leader and it’s a pleasure to recognize him,”  stated Garry Douglas.

2024 Trailblazer Award: 

Alissa Momot – Twinstate Technologies 

Alissa Momot, a dynamic third-generation team member, adds her drive to the remarkable and compassionate group at Twinstate Technologies. Committed to making substantial impacts on organizations in our service areas, Alissa infuses a touch of joy into the workplace, often accompanied by our playful office pup, Ayla. For Alissa, digital marketing is not just a profession; it’s a source of enjoyment. Whether crafting engaging campaigns or implementing innovative strategies, she finds joy in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. 

Outside the digital realm, Alissa’s sense of fun extends to the great outdoors. Embracing the beauty of nature, she finds delight in outdoor activities that balance her vibrant professional life. 

In essence, Alissa Momot embodies a blend of enthusiasm, dedication, and a penchant for joy—both in the digital landscape and the natural world. 

Kristy Kennedy, Vice President Marketing & Business Development for the North Country Chamber commented, “I was delighted to learn that Alissa has been selected as this year’s Trailblazer. While being part of a family-owned company, Alissa brings a fresh perspective, challenges conventional norms, and refuses to accept the status quo—all done with a quiet confidence. It’s not easy to carve out a distinctive path while following in someone else’s footsteps, but Alissa has taken the reins and is making things happen in her own unique way. For these reasons and more, she is the perfect recipient of the Trailblazer award.” 

2023 Chairman’s Award: Alex Baire

Baire & Co and CDC Real Estate

Garry Douglas stated, “I have genuinely enjoyed the leadership and collaboration of many great Chairs in my 31 years with the Chamber, and Alex is definitely one of the most committed and supportive. And the first of the new generation of area business leaders to follow those who were the leaders when I began, her father Mark having been my second Chair back in 1993. We are indebted to her not only for her year as Chair but for all her past and ongoing commitments to the Chamber’s work. Onward and upward!” 

The North Country Chamber is fortunate to have several sponsors who have come on board to help support this event, we’d like to thank the following businesses. 

Gold Level Sponsors: 

• Stafford Owens 

• Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company 

• Monaghan Medical 

• Schluter Systems 

Silver Sponsors: 

• Casella Waste Systems 

• Hurdle Group 

• NBT Bank 

• TD Bank 

• UVHN-CVPH 

• UFirst 

Bronze Sponsors: 

• Adirondack Economic Development Corporation 

• Agency Insurance Brokers 

• Boire Benner Group 

• Brennan Buick/GMC 

• Champlain National Bank 

• Commercial Sales Business Supply 

• Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group 

• LayerEight 

• Triangle Electric Systems, Inc / Zafra