By Maddy Vitale
Patty Talese told a crowded room at the historic Flanders Hotel on Tuesday night that a large part of the success of her and husband Jon’s Ocean City restaurant, Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar and Bistro, she owes to the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Jay Gillian.
The Taleses, of Ocean City, were the winners of the 2018 Citizens of the Year award and accepted their honors during the gala.
“I want to thank the mayor,” Patty Talese said while standing next to her husband at the podium. “We couldn’t have done it without you or the Chamber. Our success is because of your success. You bring the people over the bridge and we are so thankful. You make it easy for us. If we didn’t have this great town, we couldn’t do it and that is pretty much why we are standing here.”
According to the Chamber, the Taleses, a longtime family in the community, were selected for the award because they do so much for the community, from participating in many community events to donating to causes and supporting the schools.
They also have served on a number of boards and organizations in town throughout the years, including the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Ocean City Tourism Development Commission, Business and Neighborhood Development and Downtown Merchants Association.
The Taleses have four children: Alex, Joseph, Sophia and Jon Jon, who have all worked in the family business. Alex and Joseph opened the business with them and have been there every day for 10 years.
Patty Talese said donating their time to the community is easy.
“Ocean City has such a strong sense of community. It is very easy to give back. Ocean City is like a big family. We are so fortunate that we live in this town,” Talese added.
Executive Director of the Chamber Michele Gillian, Mayor Gillian and Chamber President David Allegretto all noted that the Talese family has been dedicated, valuable members of the community.
“The Talese family has done so much,” Mayor Gillian said. “They continually invest in the Ocean City community.”
The Chamber Service Award was given to Phil Perri. Perri has served on the Chamber Board of Directors for many years representing the Forum Motor Inn. He served as president of the Chamber in 1992 and 1993.
Michele Gillian said of Perri, “Phil Perri drove a lot of projects forward. Phil means so much to the Chamber of Commerce. Phil has always brought us down to reality with his experience. He has always been at the forefront and has done so much.”
In addition to the Citizen of the Year Award and Chamber Service award were a host of honors given to businesses for Outstanding Business and Beautification Awards.
The Business Renovation/Improvement Award, an award that is granted to a business that has taken an existing building and made physical and internal renovations to significantly improve its condition, was presented to Bungalow Bowls, 13th Street Bathhouse, Jilly’s Candy Factory, Chatterbox, and Spotted Whale.
LaScala Pizza and Sand + Stitch was awarded the Outstanding Landscaping/Signage Award for their new signage.
Nauti Donuts and Bennie’s Bread received the Business New Construction Award.
The Outstanding New Business Award was presented to Beachin’ Bakery, Coastal Consign and Design, Dockside Kitchen, Farm Stand at 14th, Totally Tubular Aqua Park and Salt Works Studio.
This year’s Outstanding Civic, Community, Non-Profit Organization Award was presented to Ocean City Colony Club
SNJ Today and Ocean City Coffee Company received Outstanding Use of Technology Award.
The Outstanding Service to the Community Award was be presented to Jennifer Bowman and Kookie Kids.
Drew Fasy, of Ocean City, said of the awards ceremony, “This event really shows how unique Ocean City is and how the business community and community itself really work together to make Ocean City a special place.”
Special Awards were also presented for milestone anniversaries. These businesses included:
10th Anniversary – Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar & Bistro
20th Anniversary – Goldcoast Sotheby’s
25th Anniversary – Johnny B Goode Ice Cream Parlor
30th Anniversary – Mallon’s Homemade Sticky Buns
45th Anniversary – Osborne’s Inn
50th Anniversary – Oves
50th Anniversary – Sea Gull Shop
90th Anniversary – Bob’s Grill
90th Anniversary – Ocean City Pops Orchestra
95th Anniversary – The Flanders Hotel
115th Anniversary – Shoemaker Lumber Company
325th Anniversary – Cape May County
