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Belpre chamber celebrates small business

Fruth

VIENNA — Building a business with integrity and concern for others can still be done was the message brought to the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce at its 79th annual dinner.

Lynne Fruth, president of Fruth Pharmacy, was the speaker and told of the company’s challenges and how it overcame them to grow to a chain of 29 stores in three states.

Karen Waller, executive director of the Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce, said Fruth’s experience speaks to a community like Belpre where small business is important.

“The heart and soul of our community is small business,” Waller said. “Many of our businesses are family – owned, family-employed and Fruth is that sort of business.”

Waller said the Fruth company has grown and expanded through the years and maintains that small town feel.

“It works well for us, we are a small town but we have lots of opportunity and we want to capitalize on those opportunities as Fruth has done,” she said.

Growing up in a family business is unlike any other situation, Fruth said.

“I have often said growing up in a family business is a unique and wonderful experience,” she said. “It is hard to tell where the family stops and the business starts. I grew up in a family business and I am now the president and chairman of Fruth Pharmacy.”

Fruth said the company was established by her father Jack Fruth in 1952 and it will open its 30th store in December.

Fruth said over the years they have had a number of ups and downs that looked like the end for the company. In 1996, its corporate headquarters and distribution center burned to the ground.

“Despite that $2 million loss my Dad my dug in and came up with a plan to survive and he did it with the same integrity he applied over all the years,’ she said. “Always do the right thing, no matter the cost.”

Also announced at the meeting was the award winners for 2016. They were:

– Chamber President Award, Amy Young Medle, Lynch and Associates Nationwide Insurance.

– Spirit Award, Shannan Shaulis of CAS Cable.

– 2016 Citizen of the Year, Bill VanPelt, director of bands for Belpre City Schools.

– Youth Chamber Citizen of the Year, Tony Dunn, superintendent of Belpre City Schools.

– Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, EXIT Riverbend Realty.

– Young Business Person of the Year, Amy Young Medley, Lynch and Associates Nationwide Insurance.

– Non Profit of the Year, Firefly A Spark of Hope.

– Best Practices in Community Development, A-Z Learning Supplies and More.

– Pride and Progress Award, MOV2GO.

– Creative Marketing, Memorial Health Systems.

– Entrepreneur of the Year, Jill Kirtland and Jill Kirtland Photography.

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