TOP OF THE TOWN - Truckee Chamber’s 72nd Annual Awards Celebration

Thank you for coming to TOP OF THE TOWN, where we celebrated the spirit of Truckee with local businesses, nonprofits, community members, and changemakers came together to honor the people and places that make our town exceptional. This year’s celebration featured an exciting award presentation, delicious bites, refreshing drinks, and silent auction, all set against the beautiful setting of the Alder Creek Adventure Center in Tahoe Donner.

About

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Top of the Town – Truckee Chamber Awards is the one time every year when the business community comes together to celebrate Truckee. We honor and recognize excellence by presenting awards to our businesses, innovators, nonprofits.

We enjoyed the food, drinks, and beautiful space and ambiance so much last year that we’re meeting at the beautiful Alder Creek Adventure Center in Tahoe Donner again. There will be tables inside and outside, weather permitting. This will be a fun evening of celebrating excellence with the awards, food, drink, and a silent auction with great items to bid on as well. Your ticket includes entry to the event, appetizers, a charcuterie table, a drink, and a day pass to either Tahoe Donner Cross Country Center or Downhill Ski Area this winter!

There will also be cash bars, a photo station, and The Socks! ( Brad Jones and Kris Stosic), a fun and very talented acoustic instrumental duo from Reno.

2025 TOP OF THE TOWN Sponsors

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This special evening is the one time each year when the Truckee business community comes together to celebrate innovation, resilience, and excellence in business. We are grateful to each and every one of our 2025 sponsors for their support!

2025 Winners

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Congratulations to the 2025 Winners!

Top of the Town: Business of the Year

Elements Mountain Co.

New Business of the Year

One Love Childcare Center

Business Leader/Entrepreneur of the Year

Vicki Isacowitz – Clever Minds Educational Services

Community First Award

Ian Casey Foundation (ENKC)

Outstanding Customer Service Award

Pacos Truckee Bike & Ski

We will have a recap of the event and photos courtesy of Rob Retting. Please check back!

Photos: (c) Rob Retting Photography

The Truckee Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the nominees for Top of the Town: 72nd Annual Truckee Chamber Awards Celebration on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Alder Creek Adventure Center in Tahoe Donner. 

2025 Nominees and Awards Categories

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The nomination process for the Top of the Town Awards involved an open call to the community, inviting individuals to put forward businesses and leaders who exemplify excellence in their respective categories. Submissions were carefully reviewed by the Truckee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, who are dedicated to recognizing those who contribute significantly to Truckee’s economic vitality and community well-being. All nominees must be a member of the Truckee Chamber of Commerce in good standing. 

Top of the Town – Business of the Year

The Top of the Town – Business of the Year award represents the pinnacle of excellence among Truckee businesses. Nominees in this category are recognized as the epitome of success, consistently delivering exceptional service, products, and experiences. This award acknowledges businesses that have distinguished themselves through their commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. The recipient of this award is a role model for other businesses, embodying the best of what Truckee has to offer.

Bar of America
Better Way Driving School
Elements Mountain Co.
Gallery 5830′
Grocery Outlet, Truckee

Ian Casey Foundation
Little Truckee Ice Creamery

Mountain Hardware & Sports
Mountain Lotus
Palisades Village Neighborhood Company 
Tahoe Donner Association 
Tahoe Modern
Tahoe Mountain Club
The Auto & Tire Doctor

Outstanding Customer Service

This award recognizes a business or organization whose entire team consistently delivers exceptional customer service. From front-line staff to behind-the-scenes support, the team goes above and beyond to create memorable, welcoming, and positive experiences for customers. This award honors not just individual excellence but a shared commitment to hospitality, responsiveness, and community pride that leaves a lasting impression on everyone they serve.

Gratitudes Gifts & Home Decor
Guild Mortgage 
Mountain Hardware & Sports
Old Town Tap
Pacos Truckee Bike & Ski
Safeway
Sierra Senior Services
Truckee Pediatric Dentistry

Truckee Donner Recreation & Parks District
Wagon Train Coffee Shop
Word After Word Books

Business Leader/Entrepreneur of the Year

This award honors a visionary entrepreneur or business leader who has demonstrated exceptional initiative, creativity, and resilience in operating a business in Truckee. Whether introducing a new product, filling a gap in the local market, or bringing fresh energy to a long-standing challenge, this individual embodies the spirit of innovation and risk-taking. The recipient inspires others through their passion, leadership, and impact on the local economy.

Mitch Clarin
Tiffany Connolly, Refresh Station 
William Elbert, Upcycled Adventures
Shelia Greeno, Quality Automotive Servicing & German Import Garage
Vicki Isakowitz, Clever Minds Educational Services
Kristen Kempt, Cultural Threads

Eric Larusson, Villager Nursery
Jaime Legare & Stacey Larson, Soaring Seven
Dave Polivy, Tahoe Mountain Sports & Tahoe Mountain Life
Austin & Logan Reid, Zanos Family Italian and Pizzeria

Gregory P. Zirbel, Truckee-Donner Historical Society 

New Business of the Year

The New Business Award recognizes outstanding businesses that have been operating in Truckee and the surrounding community for less than two years. This category aims to acknowledge the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation demonstrated by these new ventures. Nominees in this category should have shown significant growth, success, and potential in their respective industries. Business must not be more than two years old (established August 1, 2023).

Cultural Threads
Elevation Escape Tahoe – Escape Rooms
Mountain Brew
One Love Childcare Center
Peak Digital Studio
Refresh Station
Upcycled Adventures
Zander’s The BottleShop

Community First Award

The Community First Award celebrates an organization, public, private, or nonprofit, that consistently prioritizes community needs. Nominees for this award are recognized for their contributions beyond their products and services, whether through advocacy, outreach, or behind-the-scenes work. This honoree is a quiet force for good in Truckee.

Craft & Logic Taproom
Ian Casey Foundation
Headwaters Science Institute

Sierra Senior Services
Tahoe Expedition Academy
Tahoe Food Hub

Tahoe Mountain Sports
Tahoe Truckee Helping Hands
Tahoe Truckee School of Music
Thrifty Tails Boutique
The Auto & Tire Doctor
Truckee Donner Recreation & Parks District

Truckee Chamber of Commerce
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