Three small businesses honored by the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce this afternoon expressed thanks at the awards bestowed to them.

Carlisle with Janelle and Blaine Given.

“This has been a whirlwind adventure for us,” said Blaine Given who, with his wife, Janelle, were honored with new small business of the year for refurbishing and saving Roanoke Cinema. “Janelle was a great visionary. We are grateful for the support of the community. We promise this is just the beginning.”

Given said the changes at the theater provide a very different movie experience since the digital makeover.

Janelle thanked the community and the chamber. “Please go and try it out.”

Blaine also thanked the team the cinema has assembled including Anthony Beam and Crystal Boone. “It's a great blessing that we can hand it over to them.”

Chamber Board Chair Jay Carlisle said in introducing the new owners of the cinema, “The decision was based on the desire to keep the movie theater operational to serve the community and make improvements that would create a Roanoke Cinema that would be a valued entertainment establishment in the Roanoke Valley.”

Carlisle and Webb.

Sabrina Webb, of Catering & More, was honored with the minority small business of the year award.

“We have struggled,” Webb said. “We are still in our infancy. We have began to walk.”

Carlisle said the company's mission began as a way to provide healthy lifestyle choices in her food, as well as keeping the quality and presentation of her catering to a high standard. “She has been active in the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce and added to the workforce while gaining a reputation for beautiful presentations and great taste.”

David Watson, of david's restaurant and catering, was honored with the chamber's small business of the year award.

“I would like to thank my wife, my family and chef,” Watson said. “They are key to the operation. I would like to thank our customers and clients. We sincerely appreciate this.”

Carlisle said david's relocated to Roanoke Rapids from Goldsboro in 1999. “He provides employment for up to 90 residents for events throughout the year, while maintaining employment for 15 years or more.”