CHAPEL HILL – Your Chapel Hill-Carrboro community is what it is because of the people who have made an impact, and the Chamber of Commerce is recognizing 12 individuals who have shaped the local business world.

“We wanted an organization, not only did they run a good business, but that it was impactful, that it shaped our community, that it was entrepreneurial, that they re-invested in our community,” Chamber President Aaron Nelson said. “And we looked at 40 or 50 candidates and we settled on these 12 for the inaugural class, and they are our community icons.”

When determining which business should be considered for the Hall of Fame, the Chamber needed to develop criteria for eligibility.  Peter Tompkins said that there were a couple factors they thought were important.

“A couple of things just to be eligible in the first place was that they need to either be retired from what they’re doing or of a certain age, and of course their impact on the community,” Tompkins said.

In the future, Tompkins says many more businesses will be reviewed to join these great businesses in the Hall of Fame.

The inaugural class of the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Business Hall of Fame includes:

Stein, Bill, and Jesse Basnight Sr. of S.h. Basnight & Sons, INC.

Michael Barefoot of Southern Season

Mildred Council of Mama Dip’s

Orville Camplbell of The Chapel Hill News

Ted and Edward Danziger of Restraunteurs

Mickey Ewell of Chapel Hill Restaurant Group

R.B. and Jenny Fitch of Fitch Creations

Mac Fitch of Fitch Lumber and Hardware

WCHL’s own Jim Heavner

George Wattes Hill, Sr. of Central Carolina Bank

Frank Kenan of Kenan Oil and Kenan Transport

And

Mel Rashkis of Mel Rashkis & Associates

To honor the inaugural class of the Business Hall of Fame, the Chamber will host a black tie event that includes a cocktail hour, live music, and a three course meal.

The induction will be on November 13, and tickets are available online by clicking here.

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