In place of its annual dinner meeting and awards ceremony, the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce recognized local business leaders with an online program Thursday to name the Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year and Young Professional of the Year.

The 2020 Business of the Year award went to The Busy Bean and owner Anne Eakes.

Of the award, Eakes said it “is quite humbling, and it knocked the breath out of me because that is such an honor to receive.”

“As a business owner I have learned from some of the best. When I opened the doors local businesses, one by one, opened their arms to me and gave me some of the best advice,” said Eakes, whose coffee shop and eatery has quickly become a downtown favorite.

“I have always believed in giving. I built this business on giving back to the community that I was born and raised in. I’m so proud of The Busy Bean’s staff. The future is bright and I can hardly wait to see where it takes us,” she said.

The Business Person of the Year award was presented to Ankur “AB” Brahmbhatt, owner of the Quality Inn of South Boston, co-owner of Papa John’s and other ventures. Brahmbhatt was lauded for investing in local businesses and helping Halifax County to prosper.

Having lived in Halifax County for the past seven years, Brahmbatt said, “The people here are friendly and helpful, that’s something unique about this community.” Small town connections, he added, have helped him accomplish his goals.

The Young Professional Award went to Jeremy Holt, Realtor with Long and Foster of South Boston.

“This made my day, my week, and my whole month. Thank you all for believing in me, the underdog, as a young business professional,” said Holt in a social media post thanking the Chamber for the honor.

From The News and Record