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Sweetbay, Tree Farm Among Businesses Of The Year

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By DAVE NICHOLSON

dnicholson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

PLANT CITY - An investment firm, furniture store, tree farm, grocer and workshop for disabled adults were recently named businesses of the year in Plant City.

The city's Economic Development Council and Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce present the awards annually to businesses that excel in growth and community service.

The awards banquet emcee, banker Bob Tanner, said the year had been a mixed one for Plant City as a result of the economic downturn, but he noted several major developments during the year, including the reopening of the city's only movie theater by Premiere Cinemas and the opening soon of an Aldi grocery.

"You can see that Plant City continues to thrive and prosper," Tanner said.

The awards were handed out at the Nov. 6 banquet in the following categories.

•Growing business of the year: Edward Jones investments branch office at 2501 Thonotosassa Road, operated by Michael S. Cameron. In accepting the award, Cameron thanked his clients and others.

"This is a great community we are in," he said.

•Small business of the year: Badcock Home Furniture & More, 703 S. Evers St. The owner, Coleman Davis, owns Badcocks in Plant City and Zephyrhills. Davis described Plant City as a special, diverse community and thanked his family, staff, customers and others in making his business a success.

•Midsized business of the year: Florida Tree Source, 3010 N. Frontage Road. Developer Ed Verner opened the tree farm on property farmed by his grandfather, and it now has annual sales of $2 million and clients that include Publix and Disney. Verner owns a number of businesses including part ownership of the Dallas Bull nightclub, but he said he is proud that his children tell friends that their daddy is a "tree farmer."

•Large business of the year: Sweetbay, which has two supermarkets and a distribution center in Plant City. Henry Falcon, longtime manager of the store at 205 W. Alexander St., said the chain has hundreds of employees in Plant City. Sweetbay has donated thousands of dollars to local charities, said Falcon, who said he believes in "giving back" to the community.

"I love this city and I love the people. I've been blessed," he said.

•Special business of the year for exemplary community service: James Ranch, a part of MacDonald Training Center for adults with developmental disabilities. Jim Freyvogel, president and CEO of the training center, said James Ranch provides work for its clients and seeks to be the state's "premier development center."

The Economic Development Council and chamber of commerce have been presenting the business of the year awards for 16 years.

The businesses were nominated by members of the chamber, and a committee narrowed the selection to three finalists.

Finalists that didn't win included Keel & Curley Winery and the UPS store in the growing business category; Farm Credit of Central Florida and The Trailer Place in the small business category; Regions Bank and Universal Structures in the midsized business category; and Jarrett-Scott Ford and Plastipak Packaging in the large business category.

"All the nominees are winners here," Tanner said.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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