By Ken Jackson
Staff Writer

A lawn care company, a family-run bakery and an eatery in the early part of its second decade were the big winners on Nov. 6 at the 2012 Osceola Business of the Year Awards held in the Kissimmee Civic Center.

Sponsored by the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Council, five judges representing a cross-section of county businesses and entities sorted through a record 120 nominations to choose winners for Small Business of the Year, New Business of the Year and Home-based Business of the Year.

News-Gazette Photos/Andrew Sullivan Above, owners and staff from Celebration Town Tavern, and below, the owners of the Melao Bakery, revel in their selection as Small Business of the Year and New Business of the Year, respectively, at the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards ceremony Dec. 6.

Melao Bakery, a small but successful ethnic bakery, deli and eatery located on Boggy Creek Road just north of Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, took home the Small Business of the Year award.

Husband and wife Eduardo and Janira Colon own and operate the bakery, and said they’ve enjoyed working to become a part of the fabric of the community.

“We are so blessed and grateful to God,” Eduardo Colon said through an interpreter. “It has been hard working in this economy, but He put us in a position to serve our community.”

Kissimmee Medical Eye Center and Rapid Lube were the category’s other finalists.

Ludlow’s Lawn Service, run by Jim Marshall and Steven Wilderspin, won for Home-Based Business of the Year. The two were on a pre-arranged trip and could not attend, but offered a statement read by a business associate.

“We’re sure the lunch you’re having is better than the meal tray we’re having on the plane,” it read. “To be nominated was a huge surprise, and to win is quite overwhelming to be chosen by our peers in the business community. It must have been a tough decision based on the quality of our fellow nominees.”

Ludlow’s beat out fellow finalists S3 Industry Corp. and TCP Global Solutions for the award.

The Small Business of the Year Award was won by the Celebration Town Tavern. Susan Bona represented the family that runs the restaurant that is going on its 12th year of business, and needed a few moments to digest the honor of winning.

“Its an honor just getting nominated, and winning is an absolute shock,” she said. “We’re there all the time. We have a fabulous staff and they lead the pack.

Bona said that customers have menu choices ranging from $5 to $40 at the tavern, which she said strengthens its business model.

“It helps being a come-as-you-are sort of place, where you can have everything and the middle,” she said.

Encantada Resort and Wild Florida Airboats were the other finalists.

County Commission Chairman Frank Attkisson addressed the business attendees, lauding them for the service the offer for their customers, employees and community.

“You folks don’t get sick time or a paid annual vacation,” he said. “You get up every day and live the American dream.”