Wannemaker's Home and Garden Wins Big at Downers Grove Chamber Awards

The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry recognized the best of the local business community Wednesday during its sixth annual Chamber Choice Awards.

Wannemaker’s Home & Garden Center, 1940 Ogden Ave., was presented the award for Overall Business Excellence during the ceremony, held at the Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge.

The award serves as an affirmation for the three third-generation Wannemakers who quit their corporate jobs to join their father, Jim, in rebranding Wannemaker’s Home & Garden Center.

“Once these young folks got on board, amazing things started to happen." Jim Wannemaker said. "I've always been the guy who just works the floor, and look where we are standing today—imagine that."

The other finalists for the Business Excellence Award were Bradford & Kent (Industrial/Construction), Illinois Business Systems (Service), Concept Care Chiropractic and Wellness Center (Professional) and Skuddlebutts (Hospitality).

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Betty Jane "BJ" Boyd, the late owner of the downtown gift shop Consider It Done. Boyd died in September after a seven-month battle with cancer. She was 60.

Accepting the award were BJ's husband, Ken Boyd, and their children, Nick and Annie.

"(BJ) so loved this community," Ken Boyd said. "What a tremendous honor for her and us as well. Thank you very, very much."

READ: BJ Boyd Honored with Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award

West Suburban Community Pantry was recognized with a well-deserved Community Contribution Award, and Erin Seal-Waszak of Pinstripes took home the Young Business Professional of the Year Award.  

The Chamber Choice Awards were sponsored by Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Midwestern University and Wenzel Select Properties

“Now in its sixth year, the Chamber Choice Awards again resulted in a wealth of high quality applicants," said Laura Crawford, president and CEO of the Downers Grove Chamber. "We consider all chamber members winners, and it’s always a great thing to celebrate success, especially in these challenging times. The businesses and individuals that were recognized are eight of the 650 ‘reasons’ this chamber is the best chamber.”

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