YARMOUTH PORT – Local businesses were honored Thursday at the annual Cape Cod SCORE Awards Breakfast at Old Yarmouth Inn in Yarmouth Port.
The Cape and Islands chapter of SCORE has 50 volunteers that offer free and confidential mentoring to entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits.
“Our mission is to help small businesses grow, to help them understand issues that are facing them and address them and, even for some, how to make a plan to exit their business,” said Marc Goldberg.
The Small Business Owner of the Year award was presented to Mario Spindola of ohDeer Martha’s Vineyard and Nauset Disposal was honored with the Small Business Champion Award.
Goldberg said the event promotes small businesses in the region, which account for more than 90 percent of all businesses on the Cape and the Islands.
“It’s a great place for them to learn from each other, to network and to find out who can help them, but also to walk away with an understanding that there is success throughout the Cape and Islands with small businesses,” Goldberg said.
Criteria for businesses who receive awards include being in business for at least three to five years, are profitable and support and give back to their community.
Better Mousetrap Awards were also presented to 18 small businesses on the Cape and Islands representing each individual Chamber of Commerce. The winners were:
Brewster Guapo’s Tortilla Shack
Cape Cod Chamber Cape Cod Marble & Granite
Cape Cod Canal Region The Body Mechanist
Chatham Cape Cod Daily Deal, LLC
Dennis Monroe Motors, Inc., Auto Repair
Eastham Beanstock Coffee Roasters
Falmouth iKitchens, Etc., LLC
Harwich Hot Stove Saloon
Hyannis Rendezous Café & Creperie
Martha’s Vineyard ohDeer MV
Mashpee Gustare Oils & Vinegars- Mashpee
Nantucket Nantucket Hotel & Resort
Orleans Animal Hospital of Orleans
Provincetown Provincetown Jazz Festival
Sandwich Home Instead Senior Care, Inc.
Truro Long Point Electric, Inc.
Wellfleet Brundage Site Work
Yarmouth Cathy’s Place Resort Wear & Accessories
Goldberg said after 24 years the event continues to grow.
“Right now we are bursting at the seems,” he said. “We have sold out for the last four years now and we are looking at other options as to where we can hold the event because there are so many people interested in the success of small business.”