Fairhaven scores in business awards

<< Back to archives | Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Fairnaven businesses garnered three of the four awards tonight at the annual business awards banquet sponsored by the Northwest Business Monthly magazine, formerly the Business Pulse.  Ken Imus was given the Lifetime Achievement award for his 30 plus years work of restoring historic Fairhaven buildings and helping businesses prosper.  Larry Wieber, the founder of Aluminum Chambered Boats, was named business person of the year for Whatcom County.  And the two owners of Fairhaven Candy Company, Laura Sanderson and David Nelson, were named the startup business persons of the year - especially for their new crumble peanut brittle candy.

The fourth award went to Anne-Marie Faiola.  Her Bramble Berry soap supply company won as the small business of the year.  Her business is on the north side of Bellingham but we will be checking to see if she enjoys coming to Fairhaven.  Check back.

Larry Wieber’s ACB company has been building high tech boats for sport, fishing and government agencies.  They are unique and the design is still evolving.  Laura and David opened their candy store off the Village Green a couple years ago and have enjoyed a modest success until their new candy concoction caught on with some big national retailers.  They have now closed their shop and are focused on making enough bags of the peanut butter candy. 

Ken - at 80 years old - is planning his crystal gallery for north of Mill Avenue.  The guy really enjoys planning and building or restoring.  He is currently involved with his two sons, Brad and Tim, on the Three Is building on 11th next to Fairhaven Bikes.  His frustrations with Bellingham city hall have him looking at the potential in Blaine these days.  But perhaps city hall will change this November and Ken will be able to start seriously planning his crystal project in Fairhaven.