Hotspot Cafe owner Hector Alverio recognized by Small Business Association and SBDC JCC (May 1, 2023)

Several local small businesses, including Hotspot Cafe, were recognized as part of Small Business Awareness Week by officials in Fredonia.

Congressman Nick Langworthy said small businesses should be celebrated every day, “More than half of Americans either work for or own a small business. Small businesses create about two out of every three new jobs in America. I mean, think of that. They aren’t the backbone, they’re the whole body. And our nation’s success is dependent upon new businesses. And it’s so incumbent upon us as leaders to create the landscape upon which small businesses can be conceived and thrive.”

According to a proclamation by Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, there were 367 new start-ups and small business certificates issued in 2022 in the county.

At the ceremony Monday, DFT Communications was recognized for their 125 years of operation in the county. DFT President Kris Maytum said the company started in 1898 when a telephone was installed at the family’s grocery store. Arthur Maytum then created Dunkirk & Fredonia Telephone Company and became its first customer.

The Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College and the Small Business Association also presented an award to Hotspot Cafe owner Hector Alverio, who was recognized as Western New York District Minority Small Business Person of the Year.

The local SBDC Entrepreneur of the Year awards were presented to the owners of Portage Pie in Westfield and to Lumi Cafe in Chautauqua Insitution.

Hector Alverio

A Downtown Jamestown businessman has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Hotspot Cafe owner Hector Alverio has been named the Western New York District Minority Small Business Person of the Year.

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the award as part of National Small Business Week. The week recognizes, “the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.”

SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Marlene Cintron said, “During National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration shines a spotlight on our nation’s 33 million small businesses. This year, we honor the tenacity of America’s diverse entrepreneurs who have played an integral role in powering our nation’s historic economic comeback.”

Alverio opened Hotspot Cafe on East Third Street in February 2020, a month before the Pandemic started.

Local winners will receive their awards during the Small Business Week Awards Luncheon on May 5

Hot Spot Cafe owner Hector Alverio, Ashville General Store owner Jackie Francis

Two Chautauqua County business owners have been recognized as statewide Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2022.

The New York Small Business Development Center made award selections from more than 20,000 clients of the past year. The Entrepreneur of the Year awards are given to business owners whose efforts and contributions have enabled their business to grow and thrive during the past calendar year with the assistance of SBDC Business Advisors, research and services.

In Jamestown, Hot Spot Cafe owner Hector Alverio has been honored with the New York State Minority Entrepreneur of the Year award. Alverio opened the cafe on Valentine’s Day 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the shut-down, he implemented take out service. The NYSBDC said since restrictions have been lifted, his restaurant has become a real “hot spot” for city officials, police officers, and other downtown business owners for breakfast and lunch. He is now expanding into catering events.

In Ashville, Ashville General Store owner Jackie Francis has been honored with the New York State Community Business of the Year award. Francis opened The Ashville General Store in 1991. NYSBDC said it quickly became a place for locals and tourists to visit.

Officials gathered at Ashville General Store Monday morning to recognize the businesses as part of “National Small Business Week.”

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel presented a proclamation in honor of the week. He said small business is extremely important in Chautauqua County and cited how even during the Pandemic in 2020, there were 346 business certificates issued, with 410 issued in 2021.

Alverio thanked the community for supporting him and especially thanked his wife, who works at the cafe with him, “[She] has helped me out through everything, through the whole business. Just everything we do in our lives, she is my rock, my number one person supporting me in all my businesses and everything.. works with me hard day and night, every day. And she is amazing. That’s my number one person right there.”

Curatolo said the SBDC created the awards this year to recognize small business owners in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties, “It’s been a real struggle for so many businesses in the past year and we wanted to just bring some joy to the community. There have been so many businesses that have overcome so much because their owners are true entrepreneurs. And we’re excited to work with so many of these businesses because we offer free business services, free consulting to small businesses.”

Ashville General Store owner Jackie Francis also has been honored with an award for being in business for 30 years.