The Tustin Chamber of Commerce is proud of all the nominees and their accomplishments in running their successful businesses while providing valuable community service. While we have acknowledged all the nominees, the 2008 Business of the Year winners in all three categories have been announced at the Chamber Gala on Friday, June 27, 2008 at Tustin Ranch Golf Club.
LARGE BUSINESS CATEGORY RECIPIENT
Tustin Ranch Golf Course- A gem in Tustin, Tustin Ranch Golf Club is a golfer’s paradise and offers its clients with a high standard of service that’s reminiscent of a private golf club. In 2007, they were recognized and awarded Orange County’s Register’s People’s Choice Award for the No. 1 golf course in Orange County. In 2008, they received the “Community Leader of the Year” award from the Santa Ana Elks Lodge.
A member of the Tustin Chamber since they opened, Tustin Ranch Golf Club is a Pillar Sponsor and is a donor to the Police Officer of the Month Program. Many of its employees are involved with local volunteer and outreach programs within the community. They also contribute financially to numerous local organizations including the Tustin Public Schools, Boys & Girls Club of Tustin, Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary Club, Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Assistance League of Tustin.
SMALL BUSINESS CATEGORY RECIPIENT
Patriots Federal Credit Union- Known as the Marine Air Federal Credit Union in 1962, the credit union was founded on member deposits totaling $35 to assist Marines stations at El Toro and MCAS Tustin.
Today, Patriots FCU’s assets are over $110 million and offer their services to anyone living or working in Orange County. Its newest branch is located at Redhill and Edinger. Patriots FCU continues to support the military with donations and recently visited troops at Camp Pendleton in support of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Patriots FCU is a member of the Tustin Chamber of Commerce and is a Pillar Sponsor. In the community, Patriots FCU finances the quarterly New Member Reception, donates monthly to the Police Officer of the Month Program, has participated in the Chili Cookoff and Street Fair, Tustin Tiller Days and Relay for Life. This year, they are the major sponsor for the City of Tustin’s 4th of July Fireworks.
BUSINESS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Farmers & Merchants Bank- Over 100 years in business and still owned and managed by the Walker Family, Farmers & Merchants Bank opened its branch office at The District at Tustin Legacy in 2007. With a desire to be involved in city activities and continue with its philanthropy in the Tustin community, the branch office immediately joined the Tustin Chamber, became a Pillar Sponsor, and continues to donate monthly to the Police Officer of the Month Program.
The bank has donated funds and supplies to several local non-profit organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Jewish Federation Organization of Orange County and the Boys & Girls Club. Its owners are also active leaders in Big Brothers & Sisters of Orange County, the Orange County Pacific Symphony Board & Finance Committee, and the Tichenor Orthopedic Foundation Board.
NOMINEES
LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
1. Time Warner Cable - Time Warner provides high speed internet, cable television and residential telephone services to the City of Tustin. For customer convenience, they also provide ancillary products such as Digital Video Recorders and Video on Demand. Time Warner is a member of the Tustin Chamber and employees sit on the boards of county-wide organizations such as the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. In Tustin, Time Warner has sponsored such events as the Police Officer of the Month Program, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Tiller Days, State of the City Luncheon, Mayor’s Thanksgiving Breakfast and Inaugural Dinner, Broadway in the Park and the Street Fair & Chili Cookoff. Regionally, they sponsor the Orange County Fair and O.C. Special Olympics Fall Regional Games.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
1. Automobile Club of Southern California – With its branch office in Tustin since 1997, the company provides its Auto Club members with roadside assistance, DMV services, maps and other travel information among a multitude of other services. Active in the Tustin Chamber and community, they are regular donors to the Police Officer of the Month Program. Staff members have made several presentations to various organizations on toll roads, freeways and road improvements in Orange County and has provided leadership in the Orange County Business Council this year. In 2007, Automobile Club of Southern California presented California for Business Education Excellence Awards to local schools in recognition of academic achievement; 6 schools in our area received this award including Tustin Memorial, Panorama and Arroyo Middle School.
2. Dream Dinners – Founded on a mission to provide cost effective delicious and nutritious meals for the whole family, Dream Dinners provides everything needed and supplies all the essentials from easy to follow instructions to fresh, pre-cut ingredients. On February 11, 2008, an article in TIME Magazine describes the appeal of Dream Dinners—the no think approach, easy assembly, delicious meals and amazing value. In the community, Dream Dinners employ mothers who have school-aged children attending Tustin schools. They also support several non-profit organizations by providing complete meals. Dream Dinners has also donated countless meals for families in need.
3. For All Seasons – In business since 1988, For All Seasons provides Christmas décor, gift baskets and event accessories. They specialize in designing décor for each unique customer, as well as installation, removal packing and storage of the décor. A member of BNI for over ten years, the business has made an effort to provide jobs for recovering alcoholics. A supporter of the Tustin Dollars for Scholars, formerly known as the Tustin Women in Chamber of Commerce, For All Seasons’ community involvement includes donation of door prizes to local schools and organizations in the Tustin area.
4. Juice It Up! Tustin Crossings – Juice It Up! Tustin Crossings is a full service fresh juice and smoothie and offers healthy snacks for the community and schools. While the owners own other companies and run their own charitable foundations, they are committed to giving back to the community they grew up in and love. Their goal for this store was simple—a training ground for local students to be productive and build good work ethics. They hire local students and teach them the responsibilities of having a job while balancing school and family life. Since the store opened in 2006, all the profits have been donated back to several organizations including the Tustin Cobras, Tustin Pony, community churches, Boys & Girls Club of Tustin, Blind Children’s Foundation, Tustin Chamber of Commerce and Tustin Police Department.
5. Oggi’s Pizza – The official pizza of the San Diego Chargers and Padres, Oggi’s Pizza’s new location in Tustin is on the corner of Bryan and Newport Avenue. The location provides an ideal place for families and sports enthusiasts to enjoy good food and watch sports on several big screen TVs. Oggi’s prides itself in hiring employees who live in Tustin. Oggis’ is an active chamber member and active in the community through their involvement with various non-profit organizations. Oggi’s has held several fundraisers in which 20% of the proceeds were donated back to several non-profit organizations. They also contribute to the Stacy Medical Fund benefiting breast cancer research and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Oggi’s also regularly donates gift cards on a weekly basis that benefit our local organizations including our schools and churches.
6. Old Town Flooring – Old Town Flooring provides design and installation of floor covering products, kitchen and bath countertops, area rugs and more. The owners are board members of the Southern California Floor Covering Association and the Tustin Historical Society. As Tustin Chamber members, they were involved in the Old Town Revitalization Program and currently serve on the Totally Tustin Task Force. As Tustin residents, they are parent volunteers for the Beckman High School Marching Band. Old Town Flooring believes in recycling and environmental cleanup. They formed an alliance with Habitat for Humanity. Customers who are remodeling may donate used cabinets, stair systems and other items to Habitat’s “Deconstruction” team for reuse.
7. Quinn’s Old Town Grill – The “Cheers” of Tustin, Quinn’s Old Town Grill provides fine food and spirits served by a professionally trained and friendly staff. It is known for a place to gather where people have made professional and personal friendships. In 2007, Quinn’s was recognized by the Orange County Register’s Best of the Best People’s Choice Award as one of the top three best new restaurants in Orange County. A destination restaurant attracting customers from other communities, Quinn’s has helped to revitalize Old Town Tustin. Quinn’s regularly donates to various schools throughout the district, provides gift certificates and major prizes to our annual golf tournament and to other local organizations. Quinn’s has donated a percentage of sales to the Orange County Fire Relief Fund during the Santiago Canyon fire. Quinn’s is currently in the process of organizing a major fundraiser for the Blind Children’s Learning Center.
8. Kevin Snyder Farmers Insurance – A family business in Tustin for the last six years, the company provides insurance and financial services to the community and surrounding areas. Members of the Tustin Chamber of Commerce for two years, they provide honest, professional service, minority employment, multi-lingual access and a fully licensed staff. The owners and staff are involved in working with charitable organizations on a local level, and also on a national level in coordination with Famers Insurance. The owners played an active role after the recent Santiago Canyon fire by assisting at the local holding sites and donating supplies. They also take part in the annual MILK event which helps locate lost and missing children. One owner is also organizing the upcoming Blood Drive that’s sponsored and hosted by the Tustin Chamber and Office Max.
BUSINESS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
1. Chaparosa Grill – Located at The District, the restaurant specializes in Caribbean food with Southern California freshness. The restaurant recently received the coveted Award of Excellence from the County Health Department, a recognition given for consistently maintaining high standards of food safety and cleanliness throughout 2007. The opening of the restaurant in Tustin was combined to launch and raise funds for the Institute of Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research in memory of a friend who died from Myeloma. They subsequently organized a Bone Marrow Register Drive to encourage others to join the Registry. Chaparosa Grill also held a fundraiser for SupportAbility and has been involved in running fundraisers for local schools in Tustin. Also, they are currently spearheading a major fundraiser for the Tustin Boys & Girls Club.
2. Extreme Boot Camp – In business for only 11 months, Extreme Boot Camp joined the Tustin Chamber before it officially opened for business. An outdoor fitness program, the company strives to educate its clients and helps them become healthier and happier individuals. Extreme Boot Camp offers a quality program and is dedicated and committed to its clients. The company is also a strong supporter of our local schools and police department. Extreme Boot Camp has donated thousands of dollars in gift certificates to use as fund raisers and has donated the same to the Police Officer of the Month Program. The company has participated in the Dino Dash, Relay for Life Cancer Walk, collected for Toys for Tots and donated to the recent fire victims through the American Red Cross.
3. Flavio’s Italian Kitchen – This is an example of an American dream. The owner of Flavio’s Italian Kitchen arrived in the United States 19 years ago from Mexico City. His first job was working for Angie’s Cuisine Italiano located on Newport Avenue by McFadden. He began as a dishwasher, moved on to cook prep, was promoted to chef, worked as a server, and finally to restaurant manager. In 2007, he bought the restaurant and changed the name. Flavio’s understands that supporting the community that supports the restaurant is critical to its success. The employees are trained to provide excellent customer service and excellent food to keep the customers coming back. Flavio’s is a regular contributor to the Police Officer of the Month Program and donates free gift certificates to various non-profit organizations including the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
