HUTTO – Model T’s, tommy guns and flapper dresses came out to play at the Hutto Area Chamber of Commerce’s Roaring 20s Gatsby Gala Saturday, Jan.
28, at Kalahari Resorts. The chamber’s annual awards and fundraising event entertained a sold-out crowd of about 300 people representing businesses large and small in the Hutto area.
The event honors companies and individuals in several categories for the roles they play in the community’s growth and success. Hutto Flower Market & Boutique at 117 East St. won the Small Business of the Year award. Misty Faglie, who owns the shop with husband Shawn, said that the chamber plays a large role in helping businesses grow.
“Our success comes from the amazing support we’ve had in the community,” Fagile said. “The chamber obviously has helped us connect to other members of the community and other businesses.”
That idea was echoed by other attendees including Mary Stone, whose company Stone Stash Coffee & Provisions was named Emerging Business of the Year.
Stone and her husband Andy opened their air-roasting coffee supply company in March 2022. The company sells exclusively from their website StoneStashATX.com and offers free local delivery.
“I would attribute our success to our local followers and the connections we’ve made within the community,” she said.
“Connecting our business with community members is how the chamber has helped us.”
In addition to the awards ceremony, the chamber gala raises funds for the organization’s initiatives. Attendees pooled money to try and get the best desserts for their tables, participated in a raffle, paid to play games and bid on high-value items including an African safari, Kate Spade handbags and hunting rifles.
This year’s honorees were:
• Large Business of the Year: H-E-B Plus
• Small Business of the Year: Hutto Flower Market & Boutique • Ed Schmidt Lifetime Achievement Award: Garry Guthrie
• Kenneth Love Citizen of the Year: Connie Gooding • Ambassador of the Year: Sara Odom
• Emerging Business: Stone Stash Coffee & Provisions • Pat Cassidy Volunteer of the Year: Dena Ebeling • Member of the Year: ON Air Realty – Team Dubon Realty • Nonprofit of the Year: Hutto Resource Center • Above and Beyond: Gary Brown
