Honor Middleburgh Hardware Award

Senate Resolution No. 4247 BY: Senator SEWARD HONORING Middleburgh Hardware upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the 2017 Business of the Year Award by the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce on March 23, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and publicly recognize those businesses within the State of New York which have positively impacted their communities; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Middleburgh Hardware upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the 2017 Business of the Year Award by the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated at its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 23, 2018, in Bouck Hall, at SUNY Cobleskill College, Cobleskill, New York; and WHEREAS, Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce's annual business awards recognize businesses which have been successful in providing quality products and services to clients and customers, and who have consistently treated their business associates in a fair and respectable manner; and WHEREAS, In 2003, Rich and Heather Vilegi purchased Middleburgh Hardware from Rich's father; since then, they have expanded the store offering their customers a large variety of hardware products; they also sell clothing, boots, gifts, greeting cards, pickles, maple syrup, snacks, soda-pop, and ice-cream bars; and WHEREAS, Customers also shop at Middleburgh Hardware for their impeccable and gracious customer service; Rich and Heather Vilegi and their employees are always available to lend a helping hand and willing to offer their clientele some expert advice; loyal customers can often be found in the back of the store helping themselves to free popcorn, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate; and WHEREAS, Middleburgh Hardware is an important and vital part of its community; through the store, Rich and Heather Vilegi generously support many worthy causes and local organizations by organizing raffles; they also hold holiday photo shoots for children to take pictures with Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny; and WHEREAS, Middleburgh Hardware is involved with the Quilt Barn Trail; the first video, narrated by Rich Vilegi gives a brief history of the store, and its recovery from Hurricane Irene in 2011; and WHEREAS, The store also takes great pride in decorating their store front with seasonal displays, helping to make the Village of Middleburgh a better place to live, work and play; and WHEREAS, The success of Middleburgh Hardware is in direct correlation to the efforts of its staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the business and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowledges this exceptional business and its contributions to the local and State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Middleburgh Hardware upon the occasion of its designation as the