Pepper’s Named 2004 Small Business of the Year Restaurant Now in Its 30th Year By Jeff Eason In Boone’s topsy-turvy environment of businesses opening, closing and moving on, there’s something to be said for staying power. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce recognized the staying power of Jack Pepper and his restaurant Pepper’s by honoring it as the Small Business of the Year for 2004. Pepper, his wife Lisa, and their children accepted the award at the Chamber’s Business After Hours event held at the Sagebrush Steakhouse in Boone. “Established in 1975, Pepper’s is a home-grown business that meets all of the award criteria,” said Bryan Haas, chair of the Boone Area Chamber’s Business Affairs Committee. “Owners Jack and Lisa Pepper have a commitment to their customers that revolves around serving the freshest, highest quality food available. The staff guarantees a pleasant dining experience every time.” Pepper’s Restaurant owner Jack Pepper, flanked by his sons John and Josh, is the recipient of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2004 Small Business of the Year. Photo by Jeff Eason Haas also mentioned Pepper’s commitment to recycling waste materials, its knack for buying local products, and its involvement with nonprofit organizations such as the Hospitality House, Taste of the High Country, the Empty Bowl program. Pepper’s provides 35 jobs in the community and has done so consistently since 1975. Even when the business was forced to move locations it did so in a way that did not disrupt the income of its employees or the eating habits of its regular customers. “Can you imagine life without Pepper’s carrot cake?” asked Haas. “Can you imagine life without the ‘Jean Lawson’—a sumptuous turkey breast sandwich with marinated mushrooms, onions, green peppers and pepper cheese on a Kaiser roll?” In these days of prepackaged food items, Pepper’s still makes all of its desserts, soups, sauces and salads from scratch. During the Business After Hours event someone asked for a show of hands of how many business people present had worked at Pepper’s at one time or another. About a dozen hands shot up from former and present cooks, dishwashers, waitresses and managers of the popular restaurant. Pepper’s was nominated for the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year by Hanes Boren of Footsloggers, last year’s award winner. “When I think of all the local businesses that are deserving of this honor, Pepper’s really epitomizes the characteristics of excellence,” said Boren. Pepper’s first perk as Small Business of the Year is a plum location for its booth at today’s (Thursday, May 13) Boone Business Expo at the Boone Mall. The expo will give the public an opportunity to meet with representatives of a variety of businesses, schools and other organizations in our area. The expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free. “We encourage everyone to come by and pass along their congratulations to Jack and Lisa Pepper and the members of their staff,” said Haas. The list of Boone Area Chamber members who are previous Small Business of the Year Award winners includes Appalachian Brian Estates, Appalachian Ski Mountain, Bare Essentials Natural Market, Carroll Companies, Charleston Forge, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Footsloggers, the Hastings Company, Mast General Store, The Mountain Times, Mystery Hill, Quality Inn Appalachian Conference Center, Ribbon Enterprises, WATA Radio, Watauga Ready-Mix Corp. and W.J. Office City.