Build a Better Mousetrap Award Winners

Published on Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Selected by Cape & Islands Chambers of Commerce

Note: Most small businesses fail within the first five years. Small businesses receiving Mousetrap awards must have survived the first five years and appear to be headed for long-term success. Chambers of Commerce participates in any given year depending on whether they can identify a member who satisfies these basic criteria.

Brewster Chamber
Shirley Vautin
By-the-Bay artful inspirations
1077 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631-0995
508-896-1800
www.artbythebay.com

When Shirley Vautin opened her shop 13 years ago, she admits “I didn’t have a clue what I was doing!” But she had a life-long dream to own a store, and after being part of a co-op, she ended up buying the business. She relied on her instincts, and with some training by SCORE, she has built a successful year-round business in Brewster’s Lemon Tree Village. “By-the-Bay artful inspirations features” distinctive and unique handcrafted works by more than 100 artists and authors from Cape Cod and other areas of New England. They also carry a wonderful selection of quality inspirational books, cards, and gifts. There are two year round employees who also happen to be artists, and two additional people come to work in the summer and fall. Shirley also gets help from her semi-retired husband Tom. The Vautins are both active in the community volunteering on the Brewster for the Holidays Committee, participating in Brewster in Bloom, contributing “treats” for Green Halloween, and regularly attending Brewster Chamber meetings.

Cape Cod Chamber
Steve Deleonardis & Chuck Konner
Corner Store
1403 Old Queen Anne Rd
Chatham, MA 02633
(508) 432-1077
www.freshfastfun.com

The Corner Store in Chatham was founded in June of 2005. With over 25 employees, this quick and casual year round restaurant has become a landmark in the lower Cape and exemplifies its motto, Fresh Fast & Fun! They consistently receive positive press from local publications and achieved gross sales of over $1M in their first full year. Steve DeLeonardis and Charles Konner founded The Corner Store and are responsible for building this highly successful business. With Charles’ background in food and beverage and high end hospitality and Steve’s background in entrepreneurship and retail business the store became a fast success. Customers drive miles to enjoy a burrito, panini or whoopee pie at this one of a kind eatery. The food while fantastic is not the only draw. The staff and owners create an atmosphere that truly is remarkable. It is a friendly, fun place to visit. They have a knack for hiring cheerful and talented staff and treat them so well that many have stayed for years. They continually support local food initiatives as well as their local community and quickly became a local institution.

Chatham Chamber
Walter J. Meier & Scott & Kathy Hamilton
Chatham Jewelers Inc
532 Main St.
Chatham, Ma 02633
508-945-0690
www.chatgems.com

Stand amid the rich gleam and glow of Chatham Jewelers on Main Street in Chatham, and it’s obvious why the store has been a magnet for customers throughout the Chatham area for more than half a century. From the polished display cases to the gold, silver and gems they hold, there is the unmistakable aura of quality. Chatham Jewelers has always been a family affair. Walter and Pota Meier opened the business as a husband-and-wife team in 1951. They built the building at 532 Main Street, and lived above the store for 19 years. While they now reside in a more spacious home, “off campus”, Mr. Meier continues at the helm on Main Street. Eldest daughter Kathy and her husband Scott Hamilton are also part of the business, which now has a staff of nine. “With fine jewelry, high standards and a dedicated work ethic, Chatham Jewelers has continued to grow and prosper over the years. “We’re proud of the fact that we’re now serving third generation customers,” says Walter. A measure of their success is the Meier Family Foundation, established by Walter and Pota as a way to “give back” to their community. The people of Chatham appreciate their many contributions over the years, whether financing the town clock, funding costly hospital equipment or building the much-needed sanitary facilities at the park.

Eastham Chamber
Josiah & Desiree Cole
COLEwebdev
60 Viola Road
Eastham, MA 02642
508-413-2043
www.colewebdev.com

Josiah and Desiree Cole are co-founders and chief resident geeks of Internet design and development firm COLEwebdev of Eastham. With a combined 15 years of professional web business experience, Josiah and Desiree Cole bring high-tech, high-service and unmatched results to their growing family of Cape Cod small business clients. COLEwebdev provides a complete range of web services to these clients including; web design, mobile, maintenance, online software, search/social marketing, Internet consulting, and ecommerce. Firm believers in the philosophy that your website should be the center of your marketing and technology strategies, Josiah and Desiree help small business owners navigate the waters of new technology while also maintaining on a strong IT base that will provide reliability and profits in the long term. COLEwebdev is proud to have worked with over 100 local businesses in the past 5 years and will be looking to grow that number in 2012 while also expanding and improving the offerings to their existing client base.

Falmouth Chamber
Jana Faiky
Fitness Directions, LLC
200 Worcester Ct
Falmouth, MA02540
(508) 495-6500
www.Fitnessdirections.com

In 1990 as Jana Faiky began her journey towards becoming a certified fitness instructor, the gym that employed her at that time was eager to sell out .She turned to SCORE in Hyannis for professional guidance. They asked her hard questions, sent her home with a binder and gave her lots of homework. She determined that buying the gym wasn't going to work financially, personally or professionally. In 2006 while training a client, he asked her, "What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?" and wheels began to turn. Jana found the right location, 200 Worcester Court; where the building owner understood her needs and more importantly her abilities. Fitness Directions opened that summer and fortunately, Jana had worked in the area for so long that she knew who the best trainers were and thankfully they were happy to join her. As her supportive client base grew, overtime she expanded her business, increasing space, adding new and additional equipment, ballet barres, new classes, an apparel line, and her staff which grew to include 10 trainers, a receptionist, dietician, and a retail sales manager. Today, with the right people in place and sharing a common mission, Jana feels complete and ready for the future. As her journey continues, she is very thankful to SCORE and the others who helped her focus, set goals, and contributed so much to her success in business.

Harwich Chamber
Joanne Logie
New England Vacation Rentals
565 Route 28
PO Box 63
Harwich Port, MA 02646
www.newenglandvacationrentals.com

New England Vacation Rentals, a Harwichport business owned by Joanne Logie is a full service vacation rental and property management company that specializes in managing and marketing vacation home rentals in the Northeast from Cape Cod to Maine. New England Vacation Rentals handles all of their clients’ needs from professionally cleaning, handling alarm calls to even managing home remodeling projects to design and create the ultimate vacation experience for any potential vacationer. Joanne and her staff take their guests and owners feedback very seriously and are constantly expanding the services and amenities that are requested. Striving to provide each guest and owner with exceptional quality, value, and customer service is the New England Vacation Rentals way of life. In addition to Joanne’s dedication to the rental community, she also works with the Friends of Harwich youth to raise money for youth fitness related programs in town. All money raised goes to Harwich public schools for additional fitness needs and the Community Center to fund youth fitness programs as well as to the Harwich Chamber of Commerce College Scholarship fund. Joanne is the co-chair for the launch of the Harwich 5k Road Race every year in late June. It has been a great success as a perfect start of the summer, bringing families and businesses together to raise money for our important cause.

Hyannis Chamber
Betsy Young
SoHo Arts Company
342 Main Street
Hyannis MA 02601
508-771-7646
www.sohocompany.net

Betsy Young has lived on Cape Cod since moving here with her family in 1969. She is a graduate of Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School class of 1979 and she attended Cape Cod Community College. She has worked in several businesses over her career on the Cape. Most notably Betsy was employed by Excel Switching Corporation where her experience allowed her to learn almost every aspect of starting and managing a successful business. After leaving Excel in 2007 Betsy decided to open her own business and incorporated SoHo Arts Company, a home and gift shop, which is now beginning its sixth year. SoHo Arts Company, located at 342 Main Street, Hyannis, sells gifts, home décor, jewelry, accessories and locally handcrafted items. Offering gifts for everyone in the family and for every part of the home, SoHo Arts Company has been pleasing tourists and locals for 6 years with an eclectic eye and a vintage soul. SoHo’s tag line is “Artfull Living and Giving” which illustrates Betsy’s approach to gift giving. A gift should feel special and unique. The recipient of a gift should feel that the giver understands them and put thought into their gift. Their goal at SoHo is to connect the giver with the gift that will make a loved one feel special.

Martha’s Vineyard Chamber
Barbara Ronchetti
Island Alpaca
PO Box 1515
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
www.islandalpaca.com

A native of Lexington, MA, Barbara Ronchetti had no previous farming experience, and her only encounter with animal care had been with her childhood pet gerbil. Much of her career had been in operations management and training at such businesses as Warburton's, Coffee Connection, and Au Bon Pain. After a decade of corporate work, she moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1995 to get away for a winter, relax, and regroup. Barbara began her island residence with months of volunteer work, and then spent 12 enjoyable years as an account rep for the Martha's Vineyard Times. At the 2002 Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair, she became enchanted with the alpacas, and two years later, after extensive research on this gentle breed of livestock, Island Alpaca Company was born. Today the farm has a herd of 70 alpaca and is open to the public daily year-round. It also has a gift shop on location and online. In addition to operating the Island Alpaca Company, Barbara manages vacation rental properties on the island and in Italy. Remarking on her choice to embark on such a radical departure from her past, “It was an exciting challenge to undertake. I was testing myself. And, at times, it has actually been easier than I anticipated.”

Mashpee Chamber
Mark Lawrence
Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour
22 Falmouth Road/ Route 28
Mashpee, MA 02649
508-477-5553
www.polarcave.com

Since coming to America after graduating from high school in London, England Mark Lawrence has worked at a variety of positions in the hospitality industry over the last 35 years. In 2001 Mark left the security of Corporate America to open Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour in Mashpee. Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour offers over 50 flavours of Super Premium Ice Creams, Yogurts and No Sugar Added Ice Cream made exclusively for them by a Boston area Creamery and having your choice in a Made to Order Waffle Cone is the ultimate ice cream treat. As the years have passed the business has grown due in part to its loyal customers who have been there since the opening and have become like extended family. The business is also very generous in its support of many local organizations. Whenever an organization seeks a donation or needs fundraising help Mark is there for them with Gift Certificates and advice. Mark claims “That in all our years we have never said no to a fundraising request, especially when cause is local and our children are involved.” Yet possibly Polar Cave’s greatest customers are one’s they never see. “We donate ice cream to patients of a VNA Hospice Nurse. Whether it is a scoop or a quart it does not matter. To be able to bring a smile for a brief moment is priceless to me.” Polar Cave’s are located on Rt. 28 at the Mashpee line and in the Yarmouth Centre Plaza.

Nantucket Chamber
Laura McCloskey
Cowboy’s Meat Market and Delicatessen
7 Bayberry Court
P.O. Box 337
Nantucket, MA 02554
508-228-8766
www.cowboysmeatmarket.com

Cowboy’s Meat Market & Delicatessen was opened on Nantucket Island by Laura McCloskey in September of 2004. Cowboy’s is an old-fashioned butcher shop with a modern-day sensibility, selling organic and all-natural meats and poultry, all of which can be cut to order by the staff of experienced butchers. Cowboy’s grinds 100% Black Angus, grass-fed, hormone-free beef each day for their ground hamburger and ground sirloin, and their famous Bacon Burger. The full service deli and salad station is Nantucket’s Best, featuring Cowboy’s homemade Cranberry Chicken Salad and other creative deli salads as well as traditional deli meats and cheeses, all of which are available to be taken home or can be crafted into a delicious sandwich that can be enjoyed at the beach or on Cowboy’s beautiful brick patio. Cowboy’s has become a popular venue on Nantucket as a one-stop gourmet grocery shop as well, for the carefully curated selections of wines, cheeses, produce and caviar. Take home ready-to-eat entrees and side dishes are expertly crafted each day in the Cowboy’s kitchen, with many available for pickup hot from the oven, including barbecued baby back ribs, fried chicken, and macaroni & cheese. Off-site catering by Cowboy’s is also available.
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Orleans Chamber
Ric & Caren Morse
Zia Pizzeria and Cafe
210 Main St
PO Box 1511
East Orleans, MA 02643
508-240-1442
www.ziapizzeria.com

Rik & Caren Morse met on Nantucket Island while working in the restaurant industry. Since then they were married and in 2006 had a lovely little girl named Lydia. In the fall of 2006 they purchased a space in the windmill plaza in East Orleans & and opened Zia Pizzeria & Cafe. A commitment to quality, great service & a lively atmosphere had heralded their success. Caren holds a culinary degree from Kendall college in Illinois. Caren's love of baking has given her the opportunity to open "Levity baking company" in Chatham this spring where she specializes in wedding & special occasion cakes, creative cupcakes as well as desserts. Rik hails from Middlebury Vermont and has also had an extensive career in the service industry. He attended the University of Vermont where he studied political science. His love of food & wine as well as the restaurant business ensures your visit to Zia pizzeria should be a memorable one! For the past two years, the Orleans Chamber of Commerce has held a chowder contest during the Seaside Christmas in Orleans festivities and Zia Pizzeria won prizes both years. It's not all just pizza - great chowder too!

Provincetown Chamber
Chris King
Cape Tip Seafoods
45 Court St.
Provincetown, MA 02657
508-487-2164
www.capetipseafood.com

Using a vertically integrated entrepreneurial approach Chris King utilizes his two Provincetown based companies to bring fresh seafood directly to the consumer. His fishing vessel Donna Marie fishes the waters off Cape Cod for cod, flounder, and scallops 10 months a year. Chris’s Cape Tip Seafoods distributes fresh local product to restaurants on Cape Cod, regional distributors in Boston and directly to the consumer at his store, Cape Tip Seafood Market in Truro. A fourth generation Provincetown native Chris graduated from Provincetown High School and later received his Bachelors degree in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He also graduated as an officer in the United States Merchant Marine. Following graduation his adventurous spirit and experience in both fishing and engineering made his decision to seek employment as an engineer on a large fishing vessel in the Bering Sea a natural progression. After being based in Dutch Harbor, Alaska for 3 ½ years, Chris decided to return to Provincetown to start a family and his own fishing business. Chris owned and fished the 65’ Second Effort from 1991 until 1995 when he began selling his own product as well as that of other fishermen. Since 1999 distribution has been through Cape Tip Seafoods.

Truro Chamber
Ethan Poulin
Ethan Poulin Landscaping
PO Box 263
North Truro, MA 02652
508-487-2503
www.ethanpoulin.com

Ethan Poulin Landscaping, Inc. is a full service year-round landscaping company that has been servicing the Lower Cape since 2002. Ethan Poulin himself started the company at the age of twenty-five after working for other landscapers for ten years. . Ethan has his Associates Degree in Turf grass Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also has a Construction Supervisors license, Class A license and a Hydraulic IIA license. Year-round the company employs a dedicated crew of three full time employees and during the peak season up to seven full time employees including Ethan himself. They offer a wide variety of services ranging from yard maintenance to complete landscape construction. The company prides itself on its reputation of performing superior work in a timely manner. They are also into green paving by designing permeable driveways, patios and walkways to reduce storm runoff into storm drains, oceans and streets. By allowing the water to drain into its own base, its conservation compliant and is a green way of paving. It also allows snow and ice to melt faster since the pavers can breath and water can drain right were it is. They hope that you choose them for all of your landscaping needs.

Wellfleet Chamber
Briton Luhmann
Wellfleet Town Pizza, Inc.
55 Commercial St.
Wellfleet, MA
508-349-6400
www.wellfleettownpizza.com

Britron Lulhmann and his wife Carrie have lived and worked on the Cape their entire lives, primarily in the restaurant business and service industries. They opened Wellfleet Town Pizza, Inc. in 2007 often bringing their two children to work with them in the first years of business. This helped establish their goal of a family friendly atmosphere as did their love of getting to know their customers by name and learning about them on a personal level. They try to keep things simple by using fresh quality ingredients, which they buy locally when available. They support many local causes which include Teen Night at the Wellfleet Library, Wellfleet Preservation Hall and the Alzheimer’s fundraiser and they will continue to be of service to those in need. They also support local artisans by showcasing their works on their walls. They are open year round so the people in Wellfleet can always enjoy a pizza and the wonderful views of Duck Creek from the Wellfleet Town Pizza shop.