Businesses in and around Hope Mills gathered to recognize local businesses and boogie like it was 1980 at their 2023 Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony held on Saturday, May 13.
After celebrating the success of the HMACC Golf Tournament held in early May, announced by Chamber leadership as the most profitable and successful of the Tournaments thus far,
$1,000 of the proceeds were donated to local Hope Mills Charity, the Associated Local Ministries in Service Helping Others in Unfortunate Situations and Experiences (ALMS) house.
“We're really hoping that these funds can really grow back toward impacting our community here. So thank you guys, for helping us make this possible,” shared Chamber President Casey Ferris. “So thank you guys helping us make this possible, and thank you to the ALMS House for everything you do for our community.”
The night was used to award businesses as voted by the community in four categories.
The winners include:
Member of the Year: Casey Ferris
Non-Profit of the Year: VFW Post 670
Business of the Year: Harmony at Hope Mills
Best New Business: Scented Wicks
It was also announced that all of the current HMACC Board Members would be remaining in their positions for new terms:
Anne Marie Ziegler
Melannie Armstrong
Dave Yensan
Kathryn Locklear
Joanne Scarola
Greg Adair
Rebecca Gibbs
Nathan Hwang
The event, hosted with a 1980s prom theme, also crowned a Prom King and Queen for the night based on audience response to the most 80s person there. The Title of Prom King went to Jamie Jacobs of I-95 Muscle and Prom Queen went to Brenda Leidholdt with BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC.
This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th
Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle
Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.
