Chamber holds small-business banquet

By Michelle Miller
Staff Writer

October 10, 2008 04:00 am

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COOPERSTOWN_ On Thursday, Otsego County Chamber Board Chairman Russ Southard said it was a great night to be celebrating small businesses.

The ninth annual Small Business Banquet was hosted by the Chamber at the Otesaga Resort Hotel. There, the Shipping Room of Oneonta received the KeyBank ninth annual Small Business Award, and the Cooperstown Cookie Co. was named winner of the James Jordan Associates, Architects third annual Breakthrough Award.

Southard looked around the room and said he could see fellow small-business owners and that he was glad they could come out to celebrate.

``Small business is the backbone of our county, it is the backbone of our state, it is what drives our country. Small business is where it all happens,'' Southard said.

Sen. Jim Seward said attending the annual banquet is always a highlight, but said this year he was particularly pleased because of the state of the economy.

``To come here and to be able to celebrate success, this is truly a special occasion,'' Seward said.

Shipping Room owner Gary Laing, a 1975 graduate of Oneonta High School, said he was not big on making public speeches, so he decided to make it short. He thanked the Chamber for choosing his company. He also introduced his employees, whom he said are the key to his company's success. Laing said he felt honored because his company was chosen to receive the award by his peers.

When Cooperstown Cookie Co. owner Pati Grady got to the podium, she said she felt speechless for the first time in her life. She said receiving the Breakthrough Award is a great honor, and she was thrilled. Grady said she hopes other small-business owners will continue their hard work so they can be recognized for their efforts.

``Just keep up the good work,'' she said.

The Shipping Room is located at 291 Chestnut St. and was the No. 1 revenue-producing shipper in the U.S. Postal Service's Approved Shipper Program last year. Laing opened The Shipping Room in his home in 1991 as a drop-off location for UPS, Fed Ex and U.S. Mail. In 1993, it expanded to mail fulfillment and processing of first class, presorted standard, nonprofit and periodical mail. In 1998, a building was constructed for the business on Chestnut Street. Fall 2006 brought the opening of a satellite office to provide services for students, faculty and staff members at the State University College of Oneonta campus.

The Cooperstown Cookie Company is nearing its fourth year in business. Its primary business is conducted online at its website, www.cooperstowncookiecompany.com. It also has national accounts, works with gift basket companies and sells through about 15 local retailers.