Batavia Chamber of Commerce to Honor Businesses Who Exemplify Confidence and Investment in Batavia as Ole Award Winners

Batavia, Ill. – February 18, 2025 –Today, five Batavia businesses were named recipients of the 2024 Ole Award. Businesses who had final city occupancy permits by December 31, 2024, were eligible.
 
All recipients will be honored at Inspire 2025: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! event, scheduled for Thursday, April 24.
 
A committee of Batavia Chamber members, along with representatives from the City of Batavia and Batavia Chamber staff, evaluate all Batavia businesses who meet the permit timing qualifications. After deliberation, the committee selects those businesses whose investment and confidence in Batavia stands out as the year’s Ole Award winners.
 
The Ole honorees for 2024 and the appropriate category for their award are:

• New Construction – Industrial: Arco Murray Design Build, 1401 N. Kirk Road
• New Construction – Commercial: Dave’s Hot Chicken, 125 S. Randall Road
• New Construction – Commercial: Wazio Orthodontics, 950 W. Wilson Street
• Remodeling – Commercial: Geneva Winery, 5 N. River Street
• Remodeling – Commercial: Prime Truck and Trailer Center, 575 S. River Street

 
“The Chamber is thrilled to honor all these deserving businesses,” said Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of Batavia Chamber of Commerce. “Some have made the decision to stay in Batavia and either build or remodel while others are expanding their business with a Batavia location or choosing to fulfill their entrepreneurial dream in Batavia.”
 
The public is invited to attend Inspire 2025 and honor the current generation of hard-working Batavia business owners. During the event, awards will be presented to the Citizen of the Year, Bob Hubbard; the Spirit of Batavia, Batavia MainStreet; Batavia Community Impact Award, The Batavia Peace Bridge Initiative; and Ole winners.
 
Inspire 2025 takes place on Thursday, April 24, beginning at 6 p.m. at Revelry 675, 675 S. River St., Batavia. Tickets cost $75 per person, or $550 per table of eight and include dinner and a champagne toast. A cash bar will be available and cocktail attire is suggested. Purchase tickets online at bataviachamber.org/events or call the Batavia Chamber of Commerce at (630) 879-7134.
 
For more information about any of these awards or the event, please call Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, or Patti Anselme, special events coordinator, at (630) 879-7134. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the Batavia Chamber’s annual signature celebration.
 
About the Ole Awards:
The Ole Award is an award started in 1976 by a group of people who had a love and passion for their community and wanted to promote the City of Batavia. The Ole Awards are given to businesses for a significant improvement and investment either for new construction or for remodel in Batavia. Winners of this award are ones whose investment enhances the city’s economic and aesthetic futures and provides interest and excitement for the entire community through investing dollars in their properties and buildings. The Ole Award derives its name from a traditional Swedish name, Ole, to honor the hard-working Swedish settlers that were among the first to call Batavia home.
 
About Batavia Chamber of Commerce:
A local business-centered organization, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce sponsors or is involved with several annual Batavia events, including the Mayor’s Breakfast, Citizen of the Year/Ole Awards Event, Chamber Cheers, golf outing, and much more. The president and CEO is Margaret Perreault. Membership and information about upcoming Batavia Chamber and community events are available online at bataviachamber.org, by calling (630) 879-7134, or texting 478-CHAMBER.