There wasn’t a single business winner at the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Thursday night.

Friday, February 23, 2001

There wasn’t a single business winner at the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Thursday night. Instead, there were three.

Rather than handing out an award to just the small business of the year as in past years since 1993, the Chamber Ambassadors expanded the program this year to include all members and expanded the categories of awards to three.

The Business of the Year Award went to Double K Specialty of Fourth Street SE; New Business of the Year was given to Emotions Floral & Gift of Main Street North and Project of the Year was presented to Main Street of Sterling Shopping Center.

Double K was cited for not only rebounding from last summer’s flooding, but also for reaching business goals and logging record sales in six of its 10 departments.

"This is very fitting for Double K’s 10th anniversary," owner Kyle Klaehn said in accepting the award in front of nearly 250 Chamber members assembled for the festive Mardi Gras-theme evening.

Klaehn cited the help he received from Chamber members after the flood waters damaged his business. He also got emotional in telling how some individuals helped him keep his children’s summer trip on track in the midst of the flood cleanup.

Klaehn, chairman of the Chamber’s membership committee, also put in a plug: "I challenge all Chamber members … to spend additional time" in serving the organization.

Double K will get to display the Business of the Year trophy, which was turned in by last year’s winner, Holiday Cars of Austin Inc.

"I look forward to having that trophy sit at the store," Klaehn said.

Emotions Floral & Gift opened almost a year ago on Main Street North and was honored as New Business of the Year. Owners Lisa and Jamey Anderson stress customer service and community involvement in the operation of their business. Main Street, the new quarters for Sterling Drug at Sterling Shopping Center, was honored for its facelift and expansion. The business opened its new store in November.

A total of 12 businesses were nominated for the awards.

In other honors:

n Jeanine Nelson was honored as Chamber Ambassador of the Year.

n A team led by Tracy Plunkett was honored as Ambassador Team of the Year.

n Departing board members were recognized for their service: Todd Schoonover, Marv Olson, Floyd Albers, Jim Baldus, Jeff Kritzer, Pat Ray and Pamela Tranby.

n 2001 Chamber board President Lori Wradislavsky presented a plaque to outgoing President Scott Felten.