Chamber celebrates 75 years

Harry Keswani worked in a T-shirt shop before he arrived in Rehoboth Beach to open a small jewelry shop on the Boardwalk. Nearly 30 years later, Keswani's efforts to help others were applauded by a large crowd gathered in the Swan Ballroom at the Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center, where the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 75th annual Volunteer and Sponsor Awards Banquet, overlooking the same Boardwalk.

Keswani was presented with the Mae Hall McCabe Award, named for a founding member of the chamber and the first female chamber president in Delaware.

Keswani knows the importance of lending a helping hand, rising from humble beginnings in India and later traveling with his family to London and finally making his way to the United States in hopes of a better life.

He worked first in a T-shirt shop in Ocean City, Md., with little money and high hopes.

In 1987, he established his jewelry store on the Boardwalk, a store that now encompasses nearly half a block of prized beach real estate. In 2013, his drive for success turned to a passion for community service, leading to the establishment of the Harry K. Foundation, a partnership between the Food Bank of Delaware and local school districts that aims to feed hungry children throughout the state.

“His business prospered, and he promised to give back,” said Mike Meoli, who presented the award.

Since its founding, the foundation has raised more than $300,000, partnered with 24 schools, provided more than 200 backpack meal programs on a daily basis throughout the school year and provided tens of thousands of meals for children's nutrition programs. Keswani said he aims to launch 10 additional pantries this year and reach 30 schools.

“It is truly through the efforts of many, and the generosity of even more, that our impact is felt throughout Delaware,” Keswani said as he accepted his award. “My mission is simple, but far-reaching. I want no child in Delaware to go to bed hungry."

In Delaware, about 17,500 people receive emergency food assistance on any given week, and 68 percent of households with children need food. One in four people served by The Food Bank of Delaware reports choosing between buying food or paying for utilities, the Harry K Foundation website states.

“Hunger is not just a third-world problem,” he said. “Hunger doesn't always look like the child in a commercial halfway across the world. There are kids who need our help right here in Delaware.”

50 years in business

Also honored at this year's chamber dinner was Dolles Candyland.

After the Storm of '62 slammed Rehoboth Beach, something bright was erected in its wake - the large, orange Dolles sign, which has become nearly synonymous with the resort.

Known for its caramel popcorn and saltwater taffy, Dolles took home the 50 Years or More in Business Recognition.

Times have changed; a new machine that can manufacture 600 pieces of taffy per minute has replaced the handiwork of former employees armed with scissors. But when one of the worst nor'easters to ever hit the Atlantic Coast  destroyed the Boardwalk and many downtown buildings in 1962, one piece of Dolles candy equipment survived.

A 3,500-pound taffy machine plummeted through the floor and landed in the sand. Later restored, it remains at the candy store in working condition as a showcase of Dolles long-standing presence in Rehoboth Beach.

Dolles was established in 1926 and opened in 1927 in a building that was purchased for about $30,000. Dolles has survived the Great Depression, World War II, the Storm of '62 and leadership changes, emerging each time as a mainstay of downtown Rehoboth Beach for locals and visitors alike.

“Dolles is one of Rehoboth Beach's most successful branded iconic businesses,” said Bill Klemkowski, who presented the award.

Business of the Year

More than two decades ago, budding entrepreneur L. Drexel Davison borrowed $3,000 from his father to jump-start his career in a storefront window.

Since its founding in 1992, Davison's Bad Hair Day salon has attracted enough business to pump more than $30 million into the local community, a success story that was recognized by the chamber's 2015 Business of the Year Award.

“From my point of view, Bad Hair Day's success comes from its leader and founder's work ethic, attention to detail and gentle, yet direct, communication,” said Chris Weeks, who presented the award.

“Like many small businesses, Drexel also became a victim of success. As his business grew, he became overwhelmed with profit-and-loss statements and human resources issues. He didn't know what he didn't know. … Now he says he serves on boards and learns a lot from other small business owners and vice versa.”

Davison was unable to attend the Feb. 11 awards ceremony, but in a prepared video address he shared his gratitude for the award and his staff for making Bad Hair Day a successful staple in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

“My dad believed in the chamber, he believed in hard work, he believed in small business and he believed in giving back to the community,” he said, crediting his business's continued success to that $3,000 that got the business started 23 years ago. “And we are on target in the next 10 years to bring another $40 million into the local economy. That's a lot of $23 manicures, I can tell you that.”

Davison thanked his family and staff for their continued support and said the current team at Bad Hair Day is the strongest yet.

“To have all of you in my life, and have your love and support, for that I am eternally grateful,” he said.

Additional awards go to...

The Swan Ballroom at the Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center was packed for the annual awards banquet Feb. 11, which also introduced new board members and recognized the following additional award winners: Diane Pringle as Smiley the Chamber Mascot for the 2016 chamber Volunteer of the Year; Donna Moore for the City of Rehoboth Beach Service Recognition; Leonard Read as the Town of Dewey Beach Volunteer of the Year; Alvin Huffman for the Town of Dewey Beach Service Recognition; Ryan Nowakowski as the Town of Dewey Beach Lifeguard of the Year; Giovanni Ramales for the Matt Haley Scholarship; Morgan Hurlock for the True Blue Jazz Scholarship; Chad Dickerson for the Delaware Coast Press Educational Scholarship; as well as dozens of individual service awards, 20 years of support recognition and sponsorship recognition.