Dec. 8, 2021
BBB believes in the power of trust and our mission is to advance trust in the marketplace. Through evaluation, Accreditation, education and celebration, BBB builds a community of like-minded businesses that can impact people and communities positively. The Awards for Marketplace Excellence promote the importance of ethical business practices as well as the efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure that our marketplace remains fair and honorable.
Nominations for the 2021 awards are now closed. This year's event will be held virtually on Dec. 8.
Our 2020 award winners were Southwick’s Zoo, Valet Park of America, and Polar Beverages. The awards celebrate businesses in our service area that epitomize corporate responsibility and always do what’s right by their customers. Honorees convey to the community of businesses that upholding the ethical standards of the Better Business Bureau is the hallmark of a successful business.
Southwick’s Zoo officially opened back in 1963 and has since grown and expanded to become home to over 850 exotic animals from around the world. Privately owned by the Brewer family, Southwick’s Zoo does not receive federal, state, or local funding of any kind; it depends solely on the admission proceeds from Zoo visitors and patrons.
Valet Park of America started as an entrepreneurial dream in 1990 when Ted Chagnon began his journey of starting a business. Dedication, family values, honesty and hard work are the backbone of their business to this day.
Polar Beverages can trace its history to a spring water company founded in 1882 and purchased by Dennis Crowley to enhance his whiskey business. Since then, the company has been under continuous ownership and operation by four generations of the Crowley family, right here in the heart of New England.