Five standout New Milford businesses honored

The Corporation for New Milford Economic Development, a nonprofit whose mission is to promote and assist the growth, development and expansion of business and job opportunities in New Milford, has shone a spotlight on five outstanding businesses.

These businesses were honored as the "Best of the Best" at the Corporation's Sept. 12 fundraising event.

The event recognized small businesses in town and their achievements, and honored their significant contributions as drivers of economic growth for the community.

The 2024 honorees are & Company, Housatonic River Brewing, Joe’s Salon, NeJaime’s Wine & Spirits, and YardScapes.

Businesses, residents, and friends and family of award winners joined members of the Corporation and other for cocktails, awards and a keynote speaker by Dan O’Keefe, Commissioner, DECD, Chief Innovation Officer, State of Connecticut, at 19 Main.

Winners received a Best of the Best Award, each one named for the business' contribution in the community.

• NeJaime's Wine & Spirits was honored with the Big Heart Award for owner John NeJaime's "generosity and unwavering commitment to community" through his support to many charitable causes.
• Housatonic River Brewing, owned by Dave and Dianne Littlefield, was honored with the Project of the Year, recognizing the Littlefields for their "vision, effort and financial risk in creating an exceptional community experience and building a great business and brand."
• Joe's Salon, owned by Karen Ross, was presented the Business of the Year Award, recognizing the business' "emphasis on education" for its employees, "commitment to giving back" and "their compassion" since the business opened in 1982.
• YardScapes, owned by Shayne Newman, was presented the Employer of the Year Award, recognizing the company's "reputation as a top landscape company and as a top employer" that "invests in its employees' well-being and career growth."
• & Co., first opened by Bobbi Jo Beers and now owned by Melissa Martins, was honored with the Partner of the Year Award, recognizing the company's work to "tirelessly expand & Co.'s community of local artisans and entrepreneurs" and openness to housing the Corporation's first Pop-Up NewMilford program.

Deborah Rose/Trena McNeal, community development manager at the Savings Bank of Danbury, which is changing its name to Ives Bank, right, proudly stands beside Best of the Best award winner Melissa Martins, owner of & Co on Bank Street in New Milford.

Deborah Rose/Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce board of directors and its executive director congratulate Chamber member John NeJaime, third from right, owner of NeJaime’s Wine & Spirits in New Milford, for being named the winner of the Corporation’s 2024 Best of the Best Big Heart Award, which honors NeJaime’s ongoing support to numerous charitable causes in the community. With John are, from left to right, Chamber First Vice President Tammy Reardon, board members Rich Vallinaggi and Patti Oberg, Executive Director Bob Reiling, and President Jenn Birdseye. Reiling is also a member of the Corporation for New Milford Economic Development board.

Deborah Rose/Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Reiling, left, takes a moment to have a photograph with Savings Bank of Danbury Community Development Manager Trena McNeal and Corporation member Paul Murphy at the end of the Corporation for New Milford Economic Development’s Best of the Best awards ceremony. The bank, which is changing its name to Ives Bank, is a member of the Chamber.

Deborah Rose/A smorgasbord of hors d’oeuvres provided by the Plow to Plate Program at New Milford were served.

Deborah Rose/Server Nikos Lambrakis offers shrimp to guest Michael Gueli, of YardScapes Landscape Professionals.

Deborah Rose/Guest Michael Scofield makes his way through the buffet line during the cocktail hour.

Deborah Rose/Keynote speaker Dan O’Keefe, Commissioner, DECD, Chief Innovation Officer, State of Connecticut, addresses the crowd.

Deborah Rose/Award winner Karen Ross, owner of Joe’s Salon, right, and Pam Picheco, co-owner of Joe’s Spa, pose for a photograph with Dan O’Keefe, Commissioner, DECD, Chief Innovation Officer, State of Connecticut, who was the event’s keynote speaker.

Deborah Rose/John NeJaime, owner of NeJaime’s Wine & Spirits is called to receive one of the five Corporation for New Milford Economic Development’s 2024 Best of the Best Awards.

Deborah Rose/ Ray Kostka, VP of Commercial Lending at the Savings Bank of Danbury, which is changing its name to Ives Bank, congratulates John NeJaime, owner of NeJaime’s Wine & Spirits on being an award winner. Kostka is also treasurer of the Corporation.

Deborah Rose/Corporation board member Paul Murphy, also a Town Councilman, captures the evening’s activities.

Deborah Rose/Liba Furhman, secretary of the Corporation, acknowledges the shout-out to her for serving as chair of the Best of the Best event.

Deborah Rose/Karen Ross, owner of Joe’s Salon, proudly watches as fellow award winners are announced at during the presentation.

Deborah Rose/Corporation for New Milford Economic Development board member Mike Nahom, right, congratulates Dave Littlefield on being one of this year’s Best of the Best winners.

Deborah Rose/Guests applaud as & Co. original owner Bobbi Jo Beers, left, and present owner Melissa Martins, are invited forward to receive an award.

Deborah Rose/Tony Vengrove, a member of the Corporation for New Milford Economic Development, joins & Co. original owner Bobbi Jo Beers, left, and present owner Melissa Martins, for a congratulatory photo after the women were honored with the Best of the Best Partner of the Year Award.

Deborah Rose/Oley Carpp, president of the board for the Corporation for New Milford Economic Development, flashes a smile while conversing with guests.

Deborah Rose/YardScapes Landscape Professions owner Shayne Newman, center, and members of his team. 

Deborah Rose/Corporation for New Milford Economic Development board member Bob Reiling, also executive director of the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce, second from left, congratulates award winners, from left, Melissa Martins and Bobbi Jo Beers, of & Co., John NeJaime of NeJaime’s Wine & Spirits, Pam Picheco and Karen Ross, of Joe's Salon, Dave Littlefield, of Housatonic River Brewing, Karen, in back, and Shayne Newman, of YardScapes Landscape Professionals.