Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins with owners of Hollywood Florist in Yonkers
Senator recognizes small businesses in Yonkers, Greenburgh, Mount Pleasant in celebration of thriving small business community
New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins presented New York State Senate Empire Business Awards to three small businesses in District 35 in recognition of Small Business Saturday this week.
Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins presented awards to Hollywood Florist Inc in Yonkers, J.P. Doyle’s Restaurant and Public House in the Village of Sleepy Hollow, and The Good Witch Coffee House in the Village of Hastings. The three businesses were each nominated by members of the public after Sen. Stewart-Cousins solicited recommendations from constituents.
“The New York State Senate Empire Business Award is a great way to honor local small businesses and institutions that contribute significantly to our communities,” Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins said. “With Small Business Saturday this week, I wanted to use this opportunity to highlight the thriving and diverse small business community in my district. It’s my honor to recognize the accomplishments of these three establishments, which are staples of their respective fields here in Westchester.”
About the Honorees
Hollywood Florist, Inc, located at 414 South Broadway in Yonkers, has been in business for more than 100 years. A family-run establishment, Chris and Artemis Grammatos purchased the business in 1984. Today, the day-to-day is run by their sons, Elton and Peter Grammatos, who thanked Sen. Stewart-Cousins for the Empire Business Award.
“We’ve been here for 100 years because of our customers and we’re so appreciative of them. Our customers are our number 1 priority,” said brothers Peter and Elton Grammatos, managers of Hollywood Florist. “It’s nice that they know we’ve been around for a long time. The business has been here for 100 years, our father has been here for 40 years this October, and it’s good to have that relationship with the community where they know we’ve been here for a long time.”
J.P. Doyle’s Restaurant and Public House, at 48 Beekman Ave. in Sleepy Hollow, opened its doors in 1999 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Owned by Nick Bell and Brian Doyle, the restaurant is known for its support of Sleepy Hollow community groups and initiatives, from the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade to a host of youth sports organizations, and for raising thousands of dollars every year for charitable causes including the Make a Wish Foundation.
“To be chosen by Sen. Stewart-Cousins for this award out of all the small businesses here in our area means so much to us,” said J.P Doyle’s co-owner Nick Bell. “We know how amazing our business community is in New York, and we can’t thank the Senator enough for her support by presenting us with this award.”
The Good Witch Coffee Bar converted a waiting room at the Hastings-on-Hudson MetroNorth station at 134 Southside Avenue, Hastings, into a bustling coffee house owned and run by published food writer and recipe developer Joanna Prisco. After opening in 2019, the coffee bar survived the challenges of the COVID pandemic. The Good Witch has hosted community functions from salsa dancing to drive-in movies, holiday markets and the village Pride event. Sen. Stewart-Cousins received 12 nominations for The Good Witch.
“Receiving this award is emotional, it has not been an easy road in the five years that we’ve been open in this space. I’m so glad we are here and we hope to be here for many years to come,” said The Good Witch Coffee Bar owner Joanna Prisco.
