The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to host their first annual Awards Banquet where we will recognize significant contributors who make our community a great place to live, work and play. We invite everyone to join us for dinner and a celebration on Saturday, January 24th at 6:00 PM at the Corners Catering and Event Center at 11845 OH-44, Mantua Township, OH.
Our Citizen of the Year for 2025 is Rosemary Krupar, who saw a need for a gathering place for our local seniors and made it happen. Thanks to Rosemary’s dedication, everyone, especially our seniors, can enjoy spending Wednesday mornings/afternoons at the Martin S Hura Lodge in Buchert Park at 4810 E High St, Mantua, OH. The mornings start with some light exercise at 11:00, a communal lunch at 12:00 and an activity at 1:00. Check out their website https://sites.google.com/view/crestwoodcommunitycenter/home or follow them on Facebook for details about each week’s activities since they are always changing. Rosemary has worked hard to plan the schedules and has enlisted the help of friends and family and secured local grants to keep it going. They also network with other local senior activity centers and go on joint field trips to local attractions.
Our Business of the Year is Los Venados Mexican Restaurant located at 11697 Painesville Ravenna Road (Route 44). Juan, Armando, and Ulysses opened the first Los Venados in Orwell, Ohio. A year later, they opened a second location in Zoar. Armando passed the Mantua location on his way to work and when it became available they decided to add a fourth partner, Erick, and open this location. Erick brought in his wife, Lizette, and brother, Alex, to help him get started. With the help of Nancy, their event coordinator and all their fantastic staff, they make everyone feel like family. After extensive renovations, they quickly made themselves a vital part of our community. Together, the team recognized an opportunity to serve the community in a way that had not been done before. Armando has often shared that he promised God that if he were given the chance to own a business, he would give back, believing the purpose was never just about profit, but about making a difference. In just 2.5 years, Los Venados has become deeply rooted in the communities it serves. The company has organized and hosted large-scale community initiatives including annual toy drives, school supply and backpack drives, benefits, vendor events, and free community gatherings. Most recently, Los Venados collected 512 toy donations, providing Christmas gifts to 182 foster children along with five additional local families in need. The business promises that the 2026 year will be filled with more philanthropy and they can’t wait to release what they have in store for the community.Look for upcoming events on their website https://losvenadosrestaurants.com.
We will also recognize our Chamber Volunteer Award Winner, Katherine Bengston. Katherine was nominated for all the work she has put into organizing the Merry Evening in the Village Event each year. What started out as a late night shopping event organized by a few retailers has grown into one of our region’s premier events of the season thanks to her organizing and marketing efforts. She added more hometown holiday events that will help families create memories for years to come, such as tree-raising watch parties, Santa in the Village and movie nights. She has expanded her role to help with planning any large Chamber event throughout the year. When she’s not planning events, she can be found at Bibury & Books at 4672 E Prospect, where she runs the Bookstore half of the shop.
Additionally, the evening will feature a keynote speaker, Bill Carpenter, a certified John C Maxwell coach and trainer from Columbus, who will talk to the audience about “Understanding Change and Inspiring Transformation”. This powerful keynote is designed to equip Chamber members with the clarity and psychological tools needed to turn the fear of change into a powerful momentum for growth and success. This is more than a lecture—it is an experience designed to entertain and educate.
Tickets are $75/each and include dinner, dessert and 2 drinks in addition to the entertainment. You can contact the chamber at MSACOC@gmail.com, or stop by any of the Board members’ businesses to purchase tickets. You must register by January 16th. We will also include your congratulatory notes in the program for $10/each or 3 for $25. We will be inviting Bill Carpenter back for a one-day workshop later in the spring for Chamber members so this is just a taste of what’s to come!
