MARGATE – The Margate Business Association Tuesday evening held its annual holiday gathering at Sofia’s and installed its 2026 Board of Trustees.
In an unexpected move, MBA Executive Director Anna Maria Blescia presented the annual Joe Tozzi Award of Distinction to longtime MBA President Ed Berger, who created the award to honor MBA founder Joe Tozzi and his commitment to the business community and city at large. Tozzi has since passed away, but his memory lives on in the work of the MBA, which Tozzi formed with a few friends to support the business community more than a decade ago.
Joe Tozzi Award of Distinction presented to MBA President Ed Berger, Dec. 16, 2025. The award, similar to a businessperson of the year award, has been bestowed on numerous local business owners who step forward to support not only local businesses, but also the City of Margate by raising funds for community events and scholarships for students. It also anonymously supports students in need with eyeglasses, clothing, and whatever else they need to make their lives better.
Blescia thanked all the MBA volunteers who “simply care about our community,” and “breathe life into the MBA,” by dressing as costumed characters and working 12-hour days during community events, enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors each year.
“But they have someone who works tirelessly behind the scenes to promote the work of the MBA, always asking the question what’s good for our businesses and Margate. This individual gets no money and you have no idea what Ed Berger has done behind the scenes for the last 14 years,” she said. “He is not only a mentor and a friend, but now a part of our family.”
Berger talked about Tozzi who found a way to make an impact on the city. He thought there was a need to have an advocate in City Hall and in the State of New Jersey, he said. Berger is now that advocate.
“Our 140 members are the model for how to organize and create partnerships to have impact,” he said, commending Blescia for her work in the day-to-day operations of the MBA.
“They totally pulled one over on me. They kept on telling me Karen (Sherman of Tomatoe’s) was going to win this award for all her work creating Tour de Downbeach and Funfest After Dark,” he said. “The most touching part of the speech I was going to give for Karen tonight was how important it is for business owners to integrate the next generation of business people from your families. If I was going to pick a model to do that, I would pick the Tomatoe’s family.”
As Sherman enjoys the warmth of Mexico, her children are in Margate “freezing their butts off” to carry on the business, which recently expanded to include the new Tideline restaurant.
“The business community needs to survive generation to generation,” Berger said, “because a strong business community is the backbone of Margate.”
Members of the 2026 Board of Trustees are:
Copyright Fideri News Network 2025
