Oct. 12, 2011 By Christian Murray
A number of Sunnyside/Woodside business owners received awards from local politicians on Tuesday for boosting the neighborhood’s economy and overall vibrancy.
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan held an event at Saffron Garden on Skillman Ave. and honored seven local business owners with proclamations from the New York City Council and New York State Assembly.
The honorees, all immigrants, included: Rigoberto Cardoso (Pronto Car Service), Dr. Dong Hwee Kye, DDS, Ramiro Mendez (de Mole), Catherine Murphy and Gary O’Neil (Aubergine Cafe), Ken Park and Elliot Park (Shine Electronics), Shekh Noman (Saffron Garden), Shih Lee (Shi Restaurant).
“These entrepreneurs and their shops are the heart and soul of our neighborhood…and they keep our economy moving and employ hundreds of people,” Van Bramer said. “These ‘Emerging Business Leaders’ came to America with a goal and achieved a dream many strive for.”
The owners of the restaurants thanked the community for supporting their businesses. Shekh Noman, the owner of the Indian restaurant Saffron Garden, said that in the four months he has been in business he has developed a strong relationship with many people in the neighborhood.
The event was also attended by many members of the community and was co-sponsored by Community Board 2, CB2 Chairman Joe Conley, Long Island City Partnership, Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, Sunnyside Shines BID, and Woodside on the Move.
“I was thrilled to be able to honor such dynamic small business owners in Western Queens,” said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan. “Each of these honorees has taken great risk to build up these wonderful businesses.”
