Capannari Ice Cream Selected as One of Seven Regional Finalists in U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year Award
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced the seven regional finalists for its annual DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Sam's Club®, and included in the list was Capannari Ice Cream of Mount Prospect, Illinois. Capannari's was selected as the finalist for the Great Lakes region.
These seven finalists, selected from 100 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners, stood out for their exceptional business practices and community involvement. These businesses along with the 100 Blue Ribbon Award winners will be recognized at the 11th annual America's Small Business Summit, June 8 - 10 in Washington, D.C. During the summit, one regional finalist will be named the Small Business of the Year and take home the $10,000 cash prize!
The U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Small Business Awards® is a program that recognizes companies for their success and innovation and for their contributions to economic growth and free enterprise. Capannari's was selected from a record number of applicants from communities across the nation for demonstrating exceptional business practices in areas including strategic planning, employee development, community involvement, and customer service.
Capannari Ice Cream is also in the running for the U.S. Chamber Community Excellence Award which is selected by popular vote. It is awarded to one Blue Ribbon Small Business that has found notable success in the eyes of its community. It is voted on by the people that know a company best-its customers, employees, and neighbors. The winner will also be announced at America's Small Business Summit in June.
No stranger to recognition and awards, Capannari's has been repeatedly recognized for their high-quality product, unique ice cream flavors, business practices and strong community involvement. They have been noticed by such wide ranging publications and organizations as Bon Appetit Magazine, Chicago Magazine, Visa Black Card Magazine, Red Tricycle.com, Good Morning America, PBS and Loyola University Chicago's Quinlan School of Business.
Capannari Ice Cream is a purveyor of high quality, super premium, homemade small batch ice cream, produced on site at their retail location, located in the historic Moehling General Store Building at 10 S. Pine Street in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. The family business, which opened its doors in 2001, is owned and operated by sisters Katie Dolan Dix and Meg Capannari and their husbands Ken Dix and Jim Capannari. The idea for the business stemmed from the owners realization that there was no destination for families in Mount Prospect, the community where they lived and grew up.
Capannari's retail shop is now open for the season. Weekend hours are: Fridays; 3 - 10 pm, Saturdays, 12 - 10 pm; Sundays 12 - 9 pm. Their annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Sunday, March 29 at 12 noon. Weekday hours begin March 30.
In addition to the retail shop, Capannari's offers catering for parties from 20 to 2,000. More information can be found at www.capannaris.com or by calling 847/392-2277.