Snapshots: Charles River Chamber's Newton Small Business Awards

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Newton Small Business Awards, Sept. 12, 2025. Photos by Bryan McGonigle

The Charles River Regional Chamber held its first-ever Newton Small Business Awards Wednesday night, paying tribute to people who, as Chamber Board of Directors Chair Angela Pitter put it, “turn ideas into payroll, who turn neighborhoods into communities.”

Newtonville Books was named Outstanding Retailer of the Year.
O’Hara’s was named Outstanding Restaurant of the Year.
SALT Patisserie was named Best New Small Business of the Year.
Kay Masterson, owner of Cabot’s Ice Cream and Johnny’s Luncheonette, was named Small Businessperson of the Year.
Dave Sellers, executive director of the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, was named Nonprofit Leader of the Year.
Lauren Berman, owner of All Over Newton, was named Small Business Champion of the Year.
Shara Ertel, owner of Fulfilled Goods, was named Small Business Rising Star.
Kelly Comings, executive director of Service Stars, was named Nonprofit Rising Star.

“I guarantee you,” Berman told the crowd as she accepted her award, “every small business has a contingent of customers who feel that it is the best business in Newton. And when we can share your exceptionalism with the community, then everyone benefits.”

Check out these photos from the evening. And you can watch the entire event, speeches and all, on NewTV’s YouTube channel.

Angela Pitter, chair of the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors, starts the ceremony off with some inspiring words for Newton’s small business community. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Left to right: State Rep. Greg Schwartz, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and former City Councilor Cheryl Lappin (all of whom served on the City Council together a decade ago) attend the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Kay Masterson, owner of Cabot’s Ice Cream and Johnny’s Luncheonette, shown here with State Sen. Cindy Creem, was named Small Businessperson of the Year at the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Eugene Foygelman of NewTV, left, and State Rep. Amy Sangiolo, right, attend the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller presents Patrick O’Hara with the Restaurant of the Year Award at the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Elizabeth Heilig, president of the Board of Directors of the West Newton Cinema Foundation, speaks at the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Shara Ertel, left, owner of Fulfilled Goods, was named Small Business Rising Star, and Kelly Comings, right, executive director of Service Stars, was named Nonprofit Rising Star, at the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Newtonville Books owner Mary Cotton accepts an award for Outstanding Retailer of the Year at the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

SALT Patisserie was named Best New Small Business of the Year at the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Shown here are owner Thiago Silva, right, and State Rep. Greg Schwartz, left. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Left to right: School Committee candidate Mali Brodt and City Council candidates Garry Miller and Sean Roche attend the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

City Council candidates Julie Irish and John Chaimanis attend the Charles River Chamber’s Newton Small Business Awards on Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle