Save-a-Lot – 2024 Business of the Year
On June 25,2024 the Ontario Walworth Rotary Club and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce presented awards to Save-a-Lot employees, Deb DiSanto, Store Manager and Jerry Eidman, Assistant Manager in honor of their recognition as 2024 Business of the Year. The award is jointly sponsored and recognizes a business who has given to the Ontario community. Save-a-Lot has been a member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce since 2014 and was one of the first major anchors to begin the revitalization of the former Ames Plaza, at 1250 NYS Rt. 104, Ontario, NY.
Website: www.save-a-lot.com; Phone: 315-524-3810. Congratulations to SAVE-a-LOT!
Lyons National Bank – 2023 Business of the Year
Congratulations were extended to Lyons National Bank as they accepted the 2023 Business of the Year Award at the meeting of the Ontario-Walworth Rotary Club held on June 27, 2023. The award is jointly sponsored by the local Rotary Club and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Lyons National Bank is over 170 years old and entered the Ontario, NY market in 1999. In 2015 the branch relocated to 6280 Furnace Road, Suite 200 directly off NYS Route 104. Their connection to community goes far beyond normal banking hours. The staff proudly supports local organizations and helps the community stay vibrant and visible. Recent organizations include the Wayne County Bicentennial and the Wayne County Humane Society. LNB has been a member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce since 1995.
Cheryl Gregory is the Branch Manager in Ontario. With over 30 years of banking experience, she oversees branch operations. For more information about LNB, visit www.bankwithLNB.com or call the Ontario Office directly (315) 524-9661.
Heintzelman’s BBQ Pit – 2021 Business of the Year
On July 6, 2021, the Ontario Walworth Rotary Club held their annual changeover dinner
at Young Sommer Winery located in Williamson, NY. Included in the evening’s festivities was the presentation of the 2021 Business of the Year Award to Heintzelman’s BBQ Pit, 6361 Knickerbocker Road, Ontario, NY. This award is co-sponsored by the Rotary Club and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Heintzelman’s BBQ Pit received the Business of the Year Award for their community involvement through supporting various organizations as the Booster Clubs of Wayne Central students; the Ontario Food Pantry; the Veterans Outreach Center, Patriot Guard Riders, and Mission22 (a veteran suicide prevention organization). They also provided free meals to the Ontario Fire Department; N.Y.S. Police; and to health care personnel at Rochester General Hospital and Newark Hospital during the pandemic.
Congratulations to the Heintzelman’s team for their contributions to our community.
OptiPro Systems – 2020 Business of the Year
On Wednesday, September 2, 2020, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Ontario-Walworth Rotary Club presented their annual, co-sponsored Business of the Year Award to OptiPro Systems, 6368 Dean Parkway, Ontario, NY. The award is based on community involvement; business methods; and customer service and satisfaction. Donna Burolla, President of the Ontario Chamber presented Mike and Lynda Bechtold, owners of OptiPro, with a letter of congratulations and an award graphic (pictured at left). Susan Salvaggio, President of the Ontario- Walworth Rotary Club presented an engraved plaque recognizing OptiPro’s accomplishments.
Mike Bechtold followed the presentations with a business tour of his facility. He noted that because OptiPro deals with medical, military, and space projects the business is considered “essential” and is able to remain open, with guidelines, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mastercam training facility has just re-opened in August with a limited number of attendees, to comply with social distancing.
Mike emphasized that his company is vertically integrated providing design, engineering, and applications support for their customers. OptiPro fabricates many of the critical parts that are utilized in their own machines. Many customers are local Rochester optic companies, but the OptiPro name is becoming known throughout the world as well as the United States. OptiPro was established in 1982 and has grown steadily over the years. Through innovation and adaptability in developing manufacturing solutions, they have managed to grow and expand into a world-leader in the precision optics field, ceramics, and metal working. They continue to form partnerships with local Rochester universities and colleges in addition to working with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, NASA and other aerospace firms. They have 100 employees.
Konstantinou’s Restaurant & Brick Oven Sports Bar –
2019 Business of the Year
Ontario-Walworth Rotary and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce selected Konstantinou’s Restaurant & Brick Oven Sports Bar as the “2019 Business of the Year”.
In 1976 George Konstantinou met with Homer Keisinger. Seven months later on May 5, 1977, Konstantinou’s Restaurant opened it’s doors. Thirty six years and three generations later it was decided to expand the restaurant by adding a brick oven for pizzas and a bar area. With much help from family, Konstantinou’s Restaurant officially opened the Brick Oven and Sports Bar area on Jan 13, 2014.
Konstantinou’s Restaurant has supported community organizations including the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Wayne Central School students through fundraising efforts. They are located at 2030 NYS Rt. 104, Ontario and can be contacted at 315-524-8238. (www.konstantinous.com)
Exelon Generation, R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant – 2018 Business of the Year
Ontario-Walworth Rotary and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce selected Exelon Generation Ginna Nuclear Power Plant as the “Business of the Year”. Ginna has been a part of Ontario for more than 40 years and provides hundreds of well-paying jobs and millions of dollars in economic support.
Within our community, they are active with our Ambulance Corp, Fire Department, Food Pantry donations and delivery, Pines of Peace and Town of Ontario Historical and Landmark Preservation Society.
Wilberts Lakeside – 2017 Business of the Year
Congratulations to Wilbert’s Lakeside as the Business of the Year for 2017.
They are located at 6333 Lakeside Rd., Ontario. The award is co-sponsored by the Ontario-Walworth Rotary Club and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Wilbert’s was honored at a Rotary dinner on June 20, 2017.
Altra Rental & Supply – 2016 Business of the Year
Jim Pedulla, owner of Altra Rental & Supply was proud to accept the award for Ontario 2016 Business of the Year. Jim said his business began in 1997 and has grown every year. He anticipates the construction of a 12,000 square foot addition to his business located at 2127 NYS Rt. 104 to begin in the next few months. Altra Rental & Supply provides a variety of industrial/commercial/residential equipment. Categories supplied are new and used equipment; rental; parts/lawn & garden; and consumables. They are a member of the American Rental Association which means they receive the most up-to-date training in the industry. The experienced staff is able to assist customers with their rental or purchase needs. Altra Rental & Supply can be contacted at (315) 524-9649; or email: jim@altrarental.com; website: www.altrarental.com.
Peter Parts Electronics – 2015 Business of the Year
Peter Parts Electronics, 6285 Dean Parkway, Ontario, was recognized as the Business of the Year for 2015 at the annual changeover dinner of the Ontario-Walworth Rotary Club. The award is co-sponsored with Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Ontario-Walworth Rotary.
The company is owned by Peter Parts and Steve Crane and began in Webster and moved to Ontario in 1997. Peter Parts Electronics has supported the local Ontario community through the Pines of Peace, Ontario Food Pantry, Rotary Camp ONSEYAWA, Camp Good Days, providing an intern opportunity for a Wayne Central student, a mentoring program for the Webster Robotics Team and consulting for Rochester Institute of Technology.
“In 1986 Peter started Peter Parts Electronics. Many of Peter’s early customers were looking for reliable manufacturers in the Far East, but didn’t know where to look. And many Far Eastern manufacturers wanted to sell parts with their own brand on them. Peter thought it was a great idea — imagine, starting a business that not only found the best manufacturers, but was forthcoming with his customers with names, data, samples, and JIT delivery of these great companies around the world.
Peter’s hundreds of customers in the U.S. and his hundreds of contacts in the Far East were all looking for a way to talk to each other, but didn’t know how. Working initially from a tiny office in Webster, NY, a Rochester suburb, Peter supplied those contacts, along with the credibility and trustworthiness that he and his company are now legendary for. Now they are working with 100’s of customers, and eighty manufacturers.”
(An excerpt taken from www.peterparts.com)
Sparky’s Cans & Bottles – 2014 Business of the Year
Sparky’s Cans and Bottles, located at 6341 Ontario Center Road opened 5 years ago, June 1, 2009 to process can and bottle returns for the New York State 5 cent deposits. Owner Jo Donnelly used her nickname “Sparky” as the company name.
She employs local teens to help sort the various cans and bottles by distributer, size and type. Distributers then pick up the sorted items weekly. Jo will go anywhere within a 20 minute drive to deliver collection barrels and bags for an event and then pick up the returns to process for a chosen charitable group. They help with fundraising for our local school groups and churches, Pines of Peace Comfort Home, Boys Scouts and Cub Scouts, the Humane Society and Ontario Food Pantry.
New signs are available to recognize businesses. Jim Switzer displayed the signs that will adorn the business front.