For Immediate Release

Every year since 1981 the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce has celebrated Small Businesses to honor the achievements of our region’s small business entrepreneurs and their employees and to thank them for their contributions to the economic vitality and community life of the greater Cape Ann region. The Chamber is pleased to announce the 2025 Greater Cape Ann Small Business Persons of the Year.

This year’s honorees include Allan Houle, owner of Manchester Ace Hardware (Manchester-by-the-Sea); Kimberly Cameron Tibert, owner of Sand Castles & Wharf Rat Trading Co. (Rockport); Joe Ciolino, owner of The Weathervane (Gloucester); Natasha Taylor, Office Manager of the Essex Historical Society & Ship Building Museum (Essex); and Kerrie Bates, Director of ReCreation and Culture (Ipswich). Each small business person of the year will be honored throughout the weeks of June 2-13 via the Chamber’s social media, websites, and email communications. The honorees will also receive a special citation from their respective local government at their individual ceremony.

Friends, family members, and colleagues of all small business honorees are invited and encouraged to attend the individual receptions (all from 5-7 PM) to be held on the following dates and locations: Tuesday, June 3, for Allan Houle at Cala’s in Manchester-by -the-Sea; Wednesday, June 4, for Natasha Taylor at The James Pub, Essex; Thursday, June 5, for Kerrie Bates at True North Ale co., Ipswich; Monday, June 9, for Kimberly Cameron Tibert at The Emerson Inn, Rockport; Tuesday, June 10, for Joe Ciolino at Oak to Ember, Gloucester.

Please visit www.capeannchamber.com for more information on each of the 2025 Small Business Persons of the Year.

May 27, 2025
Media Contact: Michelle Pepin
michelle@capeannchamber.com