From left, MBA President Ed Berger, Businessperson of the Year Chris Clayton, MBA Executive Director Anna Maria Blescia.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE Putting on all those special events enjoyed by residents and visitors to Margate takes more than just a few people. Wednesday evening, the Margate Business Association held its annual holiday gathering at Sophia restaurant on Amherst Avenue to thank volunteers and partners for their dedicated support of the business community and the city. In attendance were members of the MBA, business owners, government officials and those who work behind the scenes to ensure successful events, scholarship programs and a robust business community.
MBA President Ed Berger thanked all those who participate throughout the year, including members of the city's Police, Fire and Public Works departments. Berger presided over the election of a new slate of trustees for 2023 and presented the MBA's Businessperson of the Year Award, a recognition program that was started three years ago following the death of MBA founder and businessman Joe Tozzi.
This year, the MBA honored businessman Chris Clayton, the proprietor of Margate Dairy Bar and Burger, where families line up in summer for ice cream treats and reportedly the best burgers in the Downbeach area.
Thank you so much, this was very unexpected, Clayton said. I'm humbled.
He credited his employees for working hard to make the restaurant the best it can be, and the residents for their support of the business community.
I'm a big fan of Margate, he said. I'd rather be in Margate than anywhere else.
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About 120 people attended the festive holiday party, noshing on spanakopita, sliders, filet mignon sammies, and various dips and crudites.
Our trustees do so much behind the scenes, MBA Executive Director Anna Maria Blescia said. Each board member takes on a specific project to work on throughout the year.
Blescia said Clayton was selected for his community service, not only in Margate, but regionally.
He is a trustee for Gilda's Club and organized the Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine event, which offers people with special needs the ability to have a spectacular prom night.
Chris always steps forward whenever we ask, and says yes for every request, Blescia said. He's just a great community-spirited guy.
Previous recipients of the Joe Tozzi Businessperson of the Year Award are Yanni Galanos and Tim Wainwright in 2020 and Cookie Till in 2021.
2023 Board of Trustees:
