Image by Cecilia Lopez

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, The Business Journal hosted its 11th annual Best of Central Valley Business Awards dinner. Some of the Valley’s biggest names in business were in attendance at Pardini’s Catering to celebrate their achievements and be featured as one of the Valley’s top honorees, voted on by readers of The Business Journal.

Today, The Business Journal highlights its hospitality, lifestyle and community experience award recipients. Congratulations to all winners.

 

Best Bar to Entertain Clients: Elbow Room

 

1st Finalist: Max’s Bistro & Bar
2nd Finalist: Pismo’s Coastal Grill

Written by: Ben Hensley

Between 30 years being an owner and a record ninth time being named the Best of the Central Valley Business Award’s Best Bar to Entertain Clients, Elbow Room owner Mike Shirinian has had a lot to smile about.

For the ninth time, the voters have spoken and named the Elbow Room the honors for the first time since 2021. Up to that point, the Elbow Room had been selected as the Best Bar to Entertain Clients for eight consecutive years — since the inaugural awards — before being bumped from the top spot the last two years.

This year, however, be it for the restaurant owner’s 30th anniversary or for the restaurant’s bar menu (or both), voters honored the local restaurant’s roots and quality in the Valley, with more than 20 percent of voters picking the Elbow Room as the Best Bar to Entertain Clients.

“Fresno’s such a loyal town that moving into Fig Garden Village really legitimized the Elbow Room,” Shirinian said in an interview with The Business Journal earlier this year. “Over the years we’ve continued to evolve. We’ve expanded and made two patios at the Elbow Room, a wine cellar dining room; it’s grown dramatically in the 27 years we’ve been in Fig Garden Village.”

With 27 years at its current location in the heart of Fig Garden Village, the Elbow Room continues to host bustling crowds today. Often the restaurant’s evening atmosphere leaves patrons with little more than “elbow room” at the bar, solidifying the winner as a prime choice for businesspeople seeking to entertain clients.

 

Best Local Brewery: Mad Duck Craft Brewing

 

1st Finalist: Crow & Wolf
2nd Finalist: Sequoia Brewing Company

Written by: Ben Hensley

It’s two-for-two for local brews for one local brewery, as the voters select Mad Duck Craft Brewing as the Best Local Brewery for the second consecutive year in this year’s Best of Central Valley Business Awards.

Mad Duck has won the award both years that it has been presented. Last year, CEO Alex Costa said that Mad Duck’s unique approach to its brews and food is what puts them on the map. Costa said that the resources the restaurant extends to making food to pair with their brews.

This year, Mad Duck opened a new location on Copper Avenue, its fourth, in North Fresno. The new restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating and serves something for everyone, according to Becky May Foster, a manager at Mad Duck’s Copper location.

“It’s been great,” Foster said. “We got a great welcoming from the community; everyone seems to love it.”

Mad Duck’s breweries, located at the Campus Pointe and Herndon locations, distribute brews to their restaurants and other local restaurants. They offer one of every style of their brews at their restaurants.

Foster said that the community support for the business is what they are there for.

“It’s a great spot for people from all walks of life to come in and enjoy something,” she said. “There’s something for everybody and I think that’s why people feel so comfortable here.”

 

Best Catering Company: Pardini’s Catering

 

1st Finalist: Love & Garlic
2nd Finalist: Meat Market

Written by: Ben Hensley

The king remains firmly on the throne as Pardini’s Catering takes home the award for Best Catering Company, locking out a full decade as the recipient of the honor.

Since its inception in the 2015 Best of the Central Valley Business Awards, the Best Catering Company category has seen no other name knock the top vote-getter off the pedestal; Pardini’s Catering, this year, received nearly 30 percent of votes among readers.

“It means a ton to us to be recognized and honored by the business community,” said Jeff Pardini, co-owner of Pardini’s Catering. “We always do our best to take care of our business clients and corporate clients and we’re very excited to be nominated yet again.”

Last year, Pardini’s underwent a major renovation, remodeling its event center and adding a new addition — The Red Room — to its list of offerings.

Pardini said that having The Red Room open to the public draws eyes to Pardini’s already appealing event space.

“It’s been great,” he said. “It allows us to offer the neighborhood a different experience with the craft-cocktail bar,” he said. “It also serves as a great marketing tool for booking private events in that space.”

Pardini’s Catering opened in 1958 and evolved into a large catering business in 1981. Pardini’s works locally with several local venues and wineries and features its own space at 2257 W. Shaw Ave. in Fresno.

“Thank you and we’re very honored to be voted again,” he said. “We’ll keep doing our best to provide excellent service and quality like we’ve always done.”

 

Best Golf Course to Take a Client: Copper River Country Club

 

1st Finalist: Fort Washington Country Club
2nd Finalist: San Joaquin Country Club

Written by: Dylan Gonzales

For the first time since 2021, Copper River Country Club has been voted as the best golf course to take a client. The win gives Copper River seven in this category — the most of any country club.

The nearby Fort Washington Country Club won the award the past two years and has three total, with the other coming in 2015. It is the only country club besides Copper River to win.

According to General Manager Todd Hansen, although Copper River is mainly known for its 18-hole golf course, the country club offers several amenities that distinguish it from other country clubs.

“We’re kind of a resort-style facility that is unique to the Central Valley area,” Hansen said. “Most facilities are just golf, food and beverage and don’t have the other amenities. It is a nice destination place for our members to bring their guests and their clients to get the full experience.”

Copper River is also one of the fastest-growing communities in the Central Valley, and Trumark recently opened sales in the community.

“The growth around here is huge,” Hansen said. “It seems like every day there’s something new opening up. Every day I go to work, there’s a new home. They’re doing a real nice job around here. And it’s kind of a hot spot right now where there’s a huge demand here.”

 

Best Local Annual Event to Attend: The Big Fresno Fair

 

1st Finalist: Clovis Rodeo
2nd Finalist: Fresno Greek Fest

Written by: Frank Lopez

For the seventh time, Business Journal readers have voted The Big Fresno Fair the Best Local Annual Event to Attend.

The category was created in 2017, and the Big Fresno Fair has won every year except for 2023, when readers voted Greek Fest as the best annual event.

The Fresno Fair, first founded in 1884 and then reborn in 1948, is guided by a mission to “Celebrate, Educate, and Have Fun” and to honor the region’s rich agricultural heritage, as well as create a fun, welcoming family environment.

Last year, The Big Fresno Fair board appointed Christina Estrada as interim CEO to lead the fair until a permanent CEO search is completed.

It was a 13-day event this year, and welcomes more than 600,000 people each year.

This year, over 3,992 animals were exhibited by 3,000 4-H and FFA students.

In 2024, the Livin’ Local Marketplace featured 36 local small businesses with 15 new vendors and had $130,000 in sales.

A statement from the Big Fresno Fair said the team is looking forward to what 2025 will bring.

“Looking ahead to 2025, we’re planning even bigger entertainment, fresh attractions, and creative ways to celebrate the Valley’s rich history and culture. There’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait to share it with our community – but we’re not ready to share just yet.”

 

Best Local Fitness Center: GB3

 

1st Finalist: Sierra Sport and Racquet Club
2nd Finalist: Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club

Written by: Dylan Gonzales

For the second straight year, George Brown Sports Club, better known as GB3, has been voted the best local fitness center. This is the second year of the “best local fitness category,” and GB3 is the only fitness center to win the award.

GB3 General Manager Sean Clinton first opened GB3 with its namesake, George Brown, in 2000, and has been with the company ever since. There are currently five GB3 locations in the surrounding Fresno area.

GB3 is the only gym in town that was built from the ground up, specifically intended for health clubs.

The biggest priority in 2024 for the nearly 25-year-old club was upgrading its equipment.

“We upgraded a lot of our clubs with new cutting-edge technology,” Clinton said. We have stuff that no one else has. We also have the most equipment of anybody. We just have such a big display, and we’re just loaded with a bunch of good, top-notch equipment.”

 

Best Interior Design Firm: Facility Designs

 

1st Finalist: Darden Architects
2nd Finalist: CORE Business Interiors

Written by: Ramon Castanos

Facility Designs has once again been voted as Best Interior Design Firm — the second year in a row.

“Facility Designs is a MillerKnoll Certified Dealer specializing in custom design solutions that offer immediate impact and long-term value,” said Carrie De Young, chief operating officer. “As a WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council)-certified, woman-owned and operated small business based right here in Fresno, complete customer satisfaction has been our goal for 33 years and counting. “

She said what makes the company stand out from its competitors is its professional service to clients.

“We have the most amazing, talented, and experienced team,” said De Young. “Every member of Team FD brings an unparalleled level of professionalism, positivity, and passion to our projects — our clients’ stand-out spaces truly begin with our team’s exceptional service.”

She said that is why so many clients appreciate Facility Designs. In addition, the company adjusts to the needs of its customers in whatever market it serves, such as business, health care, education and government.

“The needs and goals of our clients guide everything we do, and we love designing spaces that work as hard as they do for our Central Valley community,” said De Young.

Facility Designs offers customers a variety of product lines to meet their tastes and standards, including desks and workspaces, space divisions, accessories, storage and tables. Their brands include Herman Miller, Geiger, National and more.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for Team FD,” De Young said. “We look forward to partnering together in 2025 to strike the perfect balance of form and function to help your space achieve more!”

 

Best Commercial Printing Company: Dumont Printing

 

1st Finalist: Fast Signs
2nd Finalist: Fresno Reprographics

Written by: Ben Hensley

The voters have spoken and named Dumont Printing as the top of the class for the 2024 Best of the Central Valley Business Awards, edging out finalists Fast Signs and Fresno Reprographics for its seventh win in the Best Commercial Printing Company category.

“We are truly honored and deeply thankful to be considered for this award once again, and it’s all thanks to the trust and support of our clients, partners, and community,” said Susan Moore, president/owner of Dumont Printing. “This recognition means so much to our team, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve such an amazing community.”

Established in 1950, Dumont Printing operates as a full-service printer in the Valley, providing clients with digital printing, grand- and large-format printing, graphic design and more. Moore’s team mission is to turn challenges into opportunities, delivering client-focused solutions with integrity and passion.

This year, Dumont surpassed milestones and invested in cutting-edge equipment, enhancing its efficiencies and upholding quality standards. The company also expanded its fulfillment center by 15,000 square feet.

“Looking forward to 2025, we are focused on further expanding our services, driving business growth, and creating more opportunities for local employment,” Moore said. “These efforts reflect our dedication to innovation, community engagement, and client satisfaction as we continue to build on our legacy of success.”

 

Best Auto Dealership: Hedrick’s Chevrolet

 

1st Finalist: Fresno Lexus
2nd Finalist: Selma Auto Mall

Written by: Ben Hensley

Sound the horns and rev up the engines — Hedrick’s Chevrolet has made its way back to the winner’s circle in this year’s Best of the Central Valley Business Awards for Best Auto Dealership, taking home the accolade for a third time.

It’s their first win since 2018.

Located on Shaw Avenue just inside the Clovis city limit line, Hedrick’s Chevrolet was founded in 1944 in downtown Clovis. In 1965, the Hallowell family moved the dealership to where it stands today. After working with the dealership’s founder, James Hallowell, for over 40 years, Bill Hedrick purchased the business from the Hallowell family in 2000.

The business is still operated by the Hedrick family, with Bill’s son Brett filling the role of general manager alongside his sons Blake and Tanner, who are the current dealership principals.

Brett credited the dealership good work to its employees, crediting their diligence in operating at peak efficiency to serve customers in the Valley and beyond.

“Employees are the ones that make the face of the business,” he said. “Being a family owned store we all work and live in this community.”

Brett added that through more than 60 years of connecting with the community, he hopes the dealership will continue to serve the community now and into the future.

“We keep our name out there, and I think that’s when you get the recognition as far as what you do in the community,” he said. “We appreciate the community support. We think that we’re all in this together.”