Meet the 2011 Small Business Award Winners

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CHAMPS Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce-Hilly Awards | Small Business Initiative of the Year

Founded in 1983, CHAMPS represents over 250 businesses, organizations, associations and Capitol Hill residents.  CHAMPS promotes, educates and advocates for Capitol Hill businesses and connects Hill businesses with the greater community through events such as The Hilly Awards, a community-wide celebration of local businesses and organizations that has been awarded for its promotion and recognition of small businesses in a local DC neighborhood.  During the month of September, neighborhood residents go online to nominate their favorite businesses in several categories, such as restaurant of the year, service business of the year, retailer of the year and best new business.  The nominating/voting culminates in the event they call The Hilly Awards conducted the weekend before Thanksgiving where winners are presented with their Hilly at a full scale, black tie production.  Learn more HERE.

Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections (ACKC) LLC | Small Business of the Year

Rob Kingsbury and Eric Nelson combined their passion for chocolate and art and opened ACKC in December 2007 as DC’s first cocoa bar and art gallery.  Recognized for its innovative concept of doing business, ACKC is a haven for hot cocoa, espresso and coffee, as well as frozen drinks.  Additional items include pastries, desserts and hand-crafted specialty chocolates.  ACKC also offers monthly classes on the production, tasting and wine pairing of chocolate.  Their business concept comprised of business savoir-faire, innovation and hipness has earned ACKC the Small Business of the Year title. Learn more HERE.

Alpersteins Furniture Company | 100 Year Old Business of the Year

Alpersteins Furniture stores have been providing quality service to satisfied customers since 1904.  Awarded for their contributions and involvement in community efforts, Alpersteins assists with residential, office and furniture rental needs.  Their business focus is leasing residential furniture to embassy staff, therefore being in Washington, DC is critical to their business concept with.  CFO Richard Alperstein says “access to federal government workforce and contractors as well as proximity to foreign embassies” are the main reasons for their success in DC. Learn more HERE.