Published: September 18, 2008 12:13 pm         

Area businesses to get awards

By MICHELLE MILLER
Staff Writer

Pati Grady, owner of the Cooperstown Cookie Co., said she was ``very surprised’’ when notified her business will be recognized next month.

``It’s a vote of confidence from our local peers,’’ Grady said.

The Cooperstown Cookie Company is one of two local businesses that will be recognized by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce at the Small Business Banquet, Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Otesaga Resort Hotel. The cookie company will be presented the James Jordan Associates, Architects third annual Breakthrough Award and The Shipping Room of Oneonta has been selected to receive the KeyBank ninth annual Small Business Award.

Grady said her company has received other recognitions in the past, but none quite like the Breakthrough Award.

In December, she said, one of the cookie company’s products, the Ballpark Bunt Box, was given the distinction as the newest innovative product in baseball from Minor League Baseball.

However, Grady said, that was product-specific, whereas the Breakthrough Award recognizes the company as a whole.

``I think that takes us one step further,’’ Grady said.

The Cooperstown Cookie Company is approaching its fourth year in business. Its primary business is conducted online at its website, www.cooperstowncookiecompany. com. It also has national accounts, works with gift basket companies and sells things through about 15 local retailers. Grady said she started the company on a ``fluke.’’ She said she asked her husband why nobody sold cookies with a baseball theme in Cooperstown.

``It seemed so natural,’’ she said. ``And the business has been evolving constantly ever since.’’

Grady said the cookie company is very small — she is the only full-time employee. According to Grady, products are made in cooperation with Pathfinder Village and she is proud of her company’s work with Human Technologies Corporation, a nonprofit company committed to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities and others who have barriers to employment.

Grady said she is also pleased to announce that the cookie company will shortly be offering products with Major League Baseball and league logos. She said the company has been approved as a licensee last January and she is close to signing a contract.

Chamber President and CEO Rob Robinson said awarding small businesses in the area has been a growing event, and there is never a shortage of nominations. When determining which will receive recognition each year, he said, the chamber staff looks for well-rounded businesses that give back to their communities. ``The awards celebrate the true backbone of upstate New York and the nation’s economy,” said Robinson. ``Small business is where it all happens.’’ Gary Laing, owner of The Shipping Room, said he opened The Shipping Room in his home in 1991 as a drop-off location for UPS, Fed Ex and U.S. Mail. In 1993, it expanded to mail fulfillment and processing of first class, presorted standard, nonprofit and periodical mail. In 1998, a building was constructed for the business on Chestnut Street. Fall 2006 brought the opening of a satellite office to provide services for students, faculty and staff members at the State University College of Oneonta campus.

According to Robinson, The Shipping Room has been an active partner in the area’s community events, including their annual pig roast that raises money for the Opportunities For Otsego Heating Assistance Program and the Huntington Library Children’s Reading Program. For information about the banquet, contact Pam Ferguson at the Chamber at 432-4500, ext. 201.

Past Breakthrough Award winners include T.S. Pink Soap Rocks and GrafiQa Creative Services, Inc. Businesses that have received the Small Business Award in the past include The Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, Sport Tech, Ultimate Broadcasting Network, Cooperstown Bat Company, H.W. Naylor Co., Inc, Information System Division Inc., Gordon B. Roberts Agency and Eastman Associated, Inc.