New Bedford Area Chamber Announces Small Business of the Year Recipient

New Bedford, MA – The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce and BankFive are pleased to recognize the significant contributions and achievements of the region’s small businesses with the presentation of the 2008 Greater New Bedford Small Business of the Year Award.  This year’s award was presented to Café Funchal of New Bedford on May 14, 2008 at a special edition of the Chamber’s Good Morning SouthCoast! business series. 

Café Funchal is a family owned and operated business that was first established in 1999 as a small restaurant on Acushnet Avenue.  The DaSilva family pride themselves on making every guest feel welcome and part of the family.

The restaurant and catering business has demonstrated considerable growth over the years.  The DaSilva family recently invested millions to relocate and expand the restaurant from a 300 seat restaurant to a larger state-of-the art full-service restaurant and function facility that can accommodate up to 900 people

The new Café Funchal located on Church Street features ideas and designs from trendy big city restaurants in New York City and Boston and includes a new raw bar to highlight the local seafood industry, and a glass enclosed wine cellar with thousands of bottles of wine from around the world.

In addition to helping to revitalize the North End of New Bedford with their investment, the business is also supportive of many local causes.  Their contributions include donating hundreds of food platters each year to charity events, contributing thousands each year in gift certificates, and hosting – at cost - an average of one benefit or fundraiser per week for local charities.

They are also a progressive employer – providing health insurance for full-time staff and recognizing employees through programs such as an “Employee of the Month” Award, and annual trips for staff to Six Flags in the Summer and an Odyssey Cruise in Boston during the Holidays.

Eight other small businesses were also recognized at the breakfast as nominees for this award: Domino’s Pizza of New Bedford, Fire Systems, Inc. of Dartmouth, Medium Studio of New Bedford, Morin & Pepin of Fairhaven, O’Hara Imports or Fairhaven, Paul’s Electric of New Bedford, Stevens Home Improvement of Fairhaven, and Whaler’s Cove of New Bedford. 

The selection committee looked for companies who have balanced success with a strong commitment to the community.  Each nominee was rated based on five criteria: number of employees, staying power, growth, social responsibility, and innovation.  To meet just a few of these goals is a significant accomplishment. 

The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce extends its appreciation to BankFive for being a partner in this important program.

The New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business association based in the City of New Bedford, MA. Chartered in 1885, the Chamber serves nearly 1,000 member businesses of all sizes from virtually all industries in the ten communities of New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Mattapoisett, Marion, Rochester, Wareham, and Westport. The Chamber supports and promotes the local business community through leadership in public advocacy, education, networking, information, and community development. 

New Bedford Chamber of Commerce

With over 1,000 member business organizations, the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce provides leadership on issues and activities important to our economy and quality of life.

The Chamber's mission is to serve the interests of member businesses while advocating business advancement, economic growth and job creation for the benefit of New Bedford and the SouthCoast region of Massachusetts.

The Chamber's website is located at:
http://www.newbedfordchamber.com

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