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Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Fran Abbott and Shannon McAuley decided in 2015 that Chatham needed an ice cream shop.
Fast forward nine years, and the duo that serves up coffee, bakery items and ice cream at Scoop Du Jour at 95 W. Plummer Blvd. has been named Small Business Owners of the Year by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
In accepting the award before hundreds at a lunch at the Crowne Plaza on Tuesday, Abbott said, “The community of business owners that we have hype each other up all the time. They are always there to help each other.” Abbott added their customers are “amazing”, and the community in Chatham has been “so giving and so welcoming.” McAuley praised Scoop Du Jour’s employees and the community.
Lifetime Award: Business Owner of the Year
Dick Levi, one of three men who turned a local computer consulting firm into a global technology leader with more than 900 employees, was honored with the Business Owner of the Year: Lifetime Award. Levi was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict, and his son Ryan accepted the award on his father’s behalf. The younger Levi is now the CEO of Levi, Ray & Shoup.
At the ceremony, GSCC President and CEO Mike Murphy shared a bit of the first conversation he ever had with Dick Levi. Murphy said Levi told him a story about the first day at LRS back in 1979. They had only three desks. One for L, one for R and one for S. Murphy said, “Look what they’ve become today, and the amount of opportunities they’ve provided.” Murphy addressed the full banquet room and said, “If you’ve wondered if the struggle is worth it, the struggle is worth it. Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep providing those great opportunities for everybody in Sangamon County and the surrounding areas.”
New and Emerging Business Owner of the Year
Ashley Striplin, owner of Dabble at 1704 E. Sangamon Ave. was named the New and Emerging Business Owner of the Year. Dabble is a DIY arts-and-crafts studio. The business offers classes and instruction, but also provides customers with everything they need for crafting and the freedom to decide the end product.
Not-for-Profit Director of the Year
Margaret Ann Jessup is a pastor and the executive director and founder of Wooden It Be Lovely She was honored as the Not-for-Profit Director of the Year. The organization helps women survivors heal from lives of poverty, addiction and abuse by providing a job, housing, resources, education and support.
More information on the Small Business Awards is available at gscc.org.