Archive: Business & Technology

Two local businesses were recognized last Friday at Lansing's Lakewatch Inn when the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce named Warren Real Estate of Ithaca the 2007 David R. Strong Small Business of the Year, and the Ithaca Coffee Company was named the 2007 New Business of the Year.  The guest speaker was Tompkins Trust Company President and C.E.O. Greg Hartz, who lauded the recipients' accomplishments and commitment to their businesses.  "Some of those are a tremendous amount of hard work," he said.  "A healthy dose of risk taking, a willingness to pursue dreams, a great commitment to many stakeholder around them, and the ability to get a lot done without a lot of sleep."

Hartz spoke of the keys to success, which he said were things that both business owners are exceptional examples of.  He noted that both Bryan Warren and Julie Crowley are third generation owners of their family businesses, both of which were founded by their grandmothers.  But rather than resting on their family achievements the two worked hard to bring their businesses to the next level, and in new directions.

Warren Real Estate was founded in 1953 by Anne Warren. The company has grown steadily, increasing annual sales of $75.3 million dollars in 2003 to almost $126 million in 2006. Warren says he projects sales of $175 million in 2007.

Owner and President Julie Crowley purchased The Gourmet's Delight in 2004, and moved it across from her Triphammer Wines and Spirits location. That business was founded by her grandmother Alice more than 65 years ago.  The store specializes in fresh roasted coffee which is roasted in the Triphammer Plaza store, as well as gourmet foods and beers, and gift baskets.  She opened a second Ithaca Coffee Company location downtown in the Gateway Commons earlier this year.

"I want to make mention of Board of Directors chairman Dave Iles' theme, 'Drop Anchor Here'," said Chambers' Awards Committee chair Laurie Linn.  "The message is to go out to high school and college students and let them know that Ithaca is a great place to live and work.  We're a workforce destination.  Go get your degree, then come back to Ithaca, New York, because you can get a great job here.  The reason I bring that to your attention is that when I was putting together the program together I realized that all three of our guests today, Julie Crowley, Bryan Warren, and Greg Hartz all grew up here, went to high school here, left for a brief period of time, came back, and look at the awesome jobs they've secured in Tompkins County."

Both business owners attributed much of their success to their employees.  Crowley acknowledged her father, who was present at the luncheon and whom she succeeded in the family liquor business.  She talked about building the coffee business and what it has taken to get it off the ground.  "We've worked very hard to build a quality, consistent product that we can be proud to put our name on," she said.  "It takes a knowledge of the specialty coffee business, a quality training program, as well as the quality product, which we had going into it."

Warren also credited his employees.  "The agents, the management, and the support staff in the office truly makes us what we are," he said.  "It's the agents are working with the public, doing a great job, and giving us a the great reputation we have in the community.  It's the support staff and management that are working behind the scenes, making sure everything runs smoothly.  Most of all I am grateful to have been able to step into a family-owned business that has such a great history in this community."

"These awards are important, because they recognize not only the achievements of Bryan and Julie, but they provide an opportunity for us to recognize the critically important role that entrepreneurs and business owners play in our community," Hartz said. 

The Chamber plans to recognize Borg Warner Morse TEC as the 2007 Large Employer of the Year and Challenge Industries as the 2007 Not-For-Profit of the Year on October 12 th , at the Country Club of Ithaca.

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