Local businesses highlighted with plaque presentations

October 8, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Angela Gismondi
Four of King’s successful businesses were honoured with the King Township Spotlight on Business Plaque Presentation Sept. 22.
The Spotlight on Business plaque features a profile of the business and is presented to business owners in appreciation of their contribution to a prosperous community. The objective is to profile successful businesses as testimonials for attracting new investment and businesses that share a common vision and goals of a sustainable King that strives for a balance of preservation and prosperity. The initiative is aligned with King’s Economic Development Strategy.
Criteria for selecting the businesses to profile include indications of the businesses adaptability and sustainability, demonstrated and incremental growth of the business and a demonstrated commitment at being valued corporate citizens.
This year’s recipients were Pathways to Perennials, Nobleton Veterinary Clinic, State Farm Insurance and Schomberg Sheet Metal.
Lorraine and Armand Mennen, owners of Pathways to Perennials, were unable to attend the presentation to accept their plaque. The Mennen family has housed their business on an 11.5-acre property in Pottageville for 20 years. For more than 30 years, the business has been providing quality landscape design products and service to clients. A true family business, Lorraine and Armand’s son Nick does the landscaping for the business and their daughter Angie handles the retail and marketing. Their daughter-in-law Lindsay also works for the business. Their goal is to bring plants and people together in a sustainable and ecological way.
Veterinarian Dr. Helen Wicki-Nadler accepted the plaque on behalf of the Nobleton Veterinary Clinic. She joined Dr. Gil Plummer’s practice in 1989 and eventually took it over. There have been a lot of changes at the clinic over the years. The appointment book is now computerized, which allows for optimum efficiency in scheduling appointments and in sending out reminders for annual check-ups. Emergency care is accepted during regular hours and is also accessible with a phone call. In addition to medicine and surgery, ultrasound, dental x-ray, reproductive services, OFA Certification, and nutritional counseling are offered. Service and products are customized to suit both the pet and the pet owner.
Anna Raeli, insurance agent and owner of the King City branch of State Farm Insurance, was on-hand to accept her plaque. She started with the company in 1998. She was selected out of the 10 agent candidates applying for the King City location and opened in 2007.
Raeli is licensed to provide a full range of insurance and financial services products. The State Farm corporation provides property and casualty, life and financial service products. The range is expansive and includes loans, education or retirement savings plans, mutual funds uk and estate planning. Raeli aims to build relationships with each client and everything is customized to the client’s needs.
Antonio and Peter Greco accepted the plaque on behalf of Schomberg Sheet Metal. The Greco Family has owned and operated Schomberg Sheet Metal for over 30 years. Antonio and Rosaria started the business in 1980 in the garage of their home on Main Street in Schomberg. As their three sons got older they took on more responsibility in the business – Peter is the outside supervisor, Francesco works with the municipality on township properties and Paolo is the service supervisor.
Initially, Schomberg Sheet Metal provided services for heating and air conditioning but as the business expanded, additional products were added to provide their customers with better service. Schomberg Sheet Metal installs air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, radiant floor heating and indoor pool climate control. Services include fall and spring maintenance, repairs and extended warranties.
This is the fourth year the plaques have been presented and 15 local business have been recognized to date. The Township anticipates continuing with the Spotlight on Business series in 2015.