Photo by Ken Gabrielsen
Our readers have spoken! We received over 1,000 of your votes, and you selected 37 local businesses that are tops in their respective categories — from accounting to web development. Six more organizations were selected by our editors for special recognition in different categories.
By Bill Cary, Jessica Jafet, Gail Ritterhoff, Tom Schreck, & Wolfrantz Xhokaxhiu
Accounting
PKF O’Connor Davies
pkfod.com
For more than 40 years, PKF O’Connor Davies has redefined what an accounting firm can be. From outsourced CFO services to cybersecurity valuation and digital forensic services, the firm has taken accounting into the future. Representing industries as diverse as cemeteries, cannabis production, and dental offices, PKF knows that all businesses need more than an audit report — they need a relationship. Through fostering stakeholder confidence, opening access to capital, and nurturing reputational strength, PKF builds those relationships. —TS
Advertising
Buzz Creators
buzz-creators.com
The motto at Buzz Creators, Inc. is “Every Business Has a Story,” and with that in mind, the dedicated team there has launched many successful advertising campaigns for companies throughout the New York metro area. Every advertising opportunity is evaluated to help each client effectively reach its audience by conveying a company’s unique story while building and reinforcing its brand image. “We do everything, from creating the concept and the graphics to then bringing it to life and managing the whole process,” company president Christina Rae says of the Valhalla firm’s services. —JJ
After-Work Happy Hour
tredici NORTH
tredicinorth.com
Happy hours are back, and tredici NORTH continues to reign as a Westchester hotspot for an early-evening cocktail or two (or three). This is the fifth “Best of” honor for what has become Purchase’s go-to gathering spot for the after-work crowd. And why not? With a happy hour that stretches a full three hours, from 3:30 to 6:30, a light-fare bar menu that blows away the ordinary, and drinks like the Bloody Bulldog and the French Kiss, there is so much here to love. If you find yourself lingering after happy hour, the dinner menu will make you glad you did. —TS
Audio-Visual Services
Corporate Audio Visual Services
corporate-av.com
In case you haven’t noticed, the demand for audio-visual services has changed. Corporate Audio Visual Services has stayed ahead of the curve not by reacting to but rather anticipating needs as they emerge. Its Virtual Event production gives organizations a chance to shift any event to a virtual platform while retaining top quality. Corporate AV’s Zoom Management productions take virtual meetings from the fuzzy-forehead, shadowy shots we all hate to crisp, clear, and branded meetings, while the company’s fundraising-event solutions keep nonprofits in step with donors. Corporate AV is keeping connections open — and in business. “Our business is based on successful results for our clients. There really is no room for error. Everything is done with a ‘client experience’ perspective,” says company president Joe Guilderson. —TS
Auto Dealership
Porsche Larchmont
porschelarchmont.com
Behind Porsche Larchmont — which readers selected as the top Auto Dealership for Businesses this year — is the Pepe family, who have been providing Westchester with the very best in luxury cars for more than 50 years. You might expect a lot when shopping for a Porsche, and Porsche Larchmont delivers with their individualized customer service and extensive long-term maintenance programming. The dealership’s technicians know their finely tuned vehicles inside and out, and the company prides itself on making the customer service experience as luxurious as the cars they sell. “It is about building a work environment that motivates and inspires our employees. In that environment, the highest level of customer satisfaction is achieved,” says Ashley Harris, general manager. —TS
Business Banking
M&T Bank
mtb.com
At M&T, Westchester businesses get the help they need in finding the exact products and services, tailored for them, in today’s complicated financial world. Whether it is a focus on small business, retirement planning, or handling the labyrinth that is taxes, M&T lends a personal touch while using the latest technology to make life easier and convenient when it comes to handling and protecting your money. —TS
Business Insurance
Allan Block Insurance
allanblockinsurance.com
For over 60 years, Tarrytown’s Allan Block Insurance has provided insurance for businesses, families, and individuals in Westchester. Partnering with more than 20 carriers enables the agency to customize insurance to meet the specific needs of its client base and build long-lasting relationships. The firm’s holistic approach helps it identify gaps and vulnerabilities in coverage and address them long before problems arise. Block’s cutting-edge Cyber Insurance products protect companies from the kind of virtual attacks that can bring a company to its knees, while its High Net Worth plans address the unique and specific needs that come with wealth. “When it comes to customer service, we focus on treating our clients like family. For us, it’s not just about writing a new policy; it’s about helping people find financial security through our services,” says Laura Murray-Faggella, vice president of commercial lines. —TS
Business Law
Dorf & Nelson, LLP
dorflaw.com
From criminal defense and life-science litigation to medical malpractice defense and intellectual property, you’d be hard-pressed to find an area of law that Rye-based Dorf & Nelson doesn’t excel in. The firm’s attorneys are recognized leaders in their specialties and are in high demand as keynote speakers and advisers to businesses and legal organizations. With more than 30 attorneys covering the legal spectrum, it is clear that Dorf & Nelson delivers a truly comprehensive law practice that responds to the times and remains a key player on the Westchester legal landscape. —TS
Commercial Photography/ Videography
Enormous Creative
enormouscreative.com
From their Star Wars-themed opening to the exploding can of Captain Lawrence brew on its website, Peekskill-based Enormous Creative knows how to get your attention. The company seeks to combine art, technology, design, cinematography, and language to enhance businesses by eliciting an emotional response from consumers. By creating context and meaning around a brand, Enormous propels a business’s core strategy in a way that connects to people in a meaningful way. Always keeping its marketing efforts above the noise, Enormous ensures that the messaging stands out and above the rest. —TS
Commercial Property Management
Diamond Properties
dpmgt.com
As the top pick of our readers in commercial property management, Mount Kisco’s Diamond Properties represents a comprehensive spectrum of real estate that cuts across industrial, medical, retail, and recreation sites. The firm has responded to an emerging need with its shared workspace initiative, Velocity, providing offices and meeting space for entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, and self-employed executives. Diamond is also a progressive leader in sustainable energy, having installed over 22,803 solar panels across 25 acres of rooftop space. —TS
Commercial Real Estate Brokerage
Rakow Commercial Realty Group
rakowgroup.com
For more than 30 years, Rakow has provided the full spectrum of commercial real estate services. Our top Readers’ Pick for commercial real estate, the firm represents buyers, tenants, and owners of all types and sizes of properties while negotiating the best terms possible for its clients. Rakow provides comprehensive financial analysis, strategic planning, and transaction management. The company offers services for properties ranging in size from 1,000 to more than 250,000 square feet, accommodating workforces from four to 400. Rakow prides itself in helping businesses strategically plan for their realty needs in an ever-shifting environment. —TS
Commercial Real Estate Developer
Simone Development
simonedevelopment.com
For decades, Simone Development has prided itself on transforming vacant and underutilized properties into valued real estate that fits today’s business needs. The firm’s properties run the gamut of Westchester businesses, from state-of-the-art medical and healthcare facilities to industrial/flex space, office campuses, thriving retail centers, and mixed-use housing. With 7 million square feet, representing more than 100 properties, Simone has been able to anticipate and meet the needs of the market and bolster the revitalization of communities. “Simone keeps its portfolio relevant to evolving market demands, enabling communities to revitalize and attract new investment,” says Joe Simone, president. —TS
Corporate Caterer
DeCicco & Sons
deciccoandsons.com
Now with nine locations in Westchester and a very busy catering team, this big and friendly, family-owned company was launched in 1973 with a Bronx storefront by John, Joe, and Frank DeCicco. Their Events & Cuisine department will cater anything from bagels and fruit in the company lunchroom to 500-guest weddings and corporate banquets. They will help with venue selection, party rentals, event design, customized cakes and menus, and flowers and decorations. The company also has its own venue, an upstairs dining area in Armonk with plenty of space, two bocce courts and a private bar with craft beers on tap. —BC
Corporate Meeting Venue
VIP Country Club
vipcountryclub.com
There’s nothing like a 120-year-old estate set on eight gorgeous waterfront acres overlooking Long Island Sound to help seal the deal with corporate clients. The New Rochelle-based club, which can accommodate up to 500 attendees, features several meeting rooms, large dining rooms, private outdoor terraces, and inventive menu options. The VIP club is also a popular wedding venue. —BC
Corporate Moving Company
Many’s Moving & Storage
manysmovers.com
“We’ve been in business since 1854,” says fifth-generation employee Trish Many-Cacares, who runs Many’s Moving & Storage with her brother, Scott Many. “We started out with a horse and buggy and a garage.” The Ossining-based company now has a large warehouse for storage and six long-term employees. “We barely have anyone who hasn’t been with us at least 30 years,” she says. “We do a little bit more than a normal mover, and I think people appreciate that. And Scott is out there with the movers. It’s nice when the owner is part of the team.” —BC
County Golf Course
Hudson Hills Golf Course
golf.westchestergov.com/hudson-hills-golf-course
Westchester is justly famous for its luxurious and beautifully groomed private golf and country clubs, but playing the six county-owned public courses is also outstanding. By course rating, Ossining’s Hudson Hills is considered the most challenging of the lot, and many in the know say it’s far and away the best of the six courses. At nearly 7,000 yards, it’s also the longest, with a rugged terrain, challenging elevation changes, and large and well-contoured greens. Fabulous views too. —BC
Coworking Facility or Space
Westchester Business Center
westchesterbusinesscenter.com
Even as many workers make their way back to Manhattan offices, coworking spaces in the county remain enormously popular. With locations in Downtown White Plains and Chappaqua Crossing, Westchester Business Center offers virtual services, fully equipped conference rooms, a range of office space with flexible terms, mail service, high-speed internet, and clerical and technical support. —BC
Executive Limo Service
Red Oak Transportation
redoaktrans.com
With a highly trained staff of chauffeurs and an ultra-clean fleet of stretch limos, luxury sedans and coach buses, SUVs, luxury minibuses, and Mercedes Sprinter Vans, Red Oak is at the ready to take you anywhere in the Tristate area. For more than 80 years, the Port Chester-based company has been providing high-end transportation services to on-the-go corporations, executives, and leisure travelers. —BC
Executive Wealth Management
SKG Team at Barnum Financial Group
skgbarnum.com
This Elmsford-based team of knowledgeable and experienced CFPs (Certified Financial Planners) and CExPs (Certified Exit Planners) is led by Ben Soccodato and Chris Kampitsis. The goal of the SKG Team is to give each client tailored solutions, lots of one-on-one personal attention, and insightful short-and long-term financial guidance. Clients include families, business owners, and Fortune 500 companies looking for financial literacy programs. Both Soccodato and Kampitsis were named as Forbes’ Best in State Wealth Advisors this year. —BC
Graphic Design
Copy & Art
copyandartny.com
Graphic design is barely the beginning of all that this White Plains-based creative agency offers its clients. Led by founder and Chief Creative Officer Elena Rivera-Cheek, this fast-growing, full-service communications agency will jump right in and handle end-to-end social media management, website design, video and podcast production services, TV and radio ads, branding and marketing strategies, and internal corporate communications. Heavy-hitter clients include Regeneron, Maimonides Medical Center, Northwell Health Phelps Hospital, and Staten Island University Hospital. —BC
Hotel For Business Travelers
Hyatt House White Plains
hyatt.com/white-plains
After a long, COVID-related hiatus, businesspeople are on the move again. Hyatt House White Plains offers a central location in the county that’s just off I-287 and a short drive from the corporate offices of PepsiCo, IBM, MasterCard, and Morgan Stanley, as well as Pace University, Manhattanville College, and Purchase College. Hotel amenities for busy execs include spacious meeting facilities, free parking, a 24-hour exercise room, and free internet access. —BC
IT/ Telecommunications
Right Click Solutions
rightclicksolutionsllc.com
As many of the work-from-home folks will tell you, there is nothing more important than having a smart IT person at your beck and call. Founded 16 years ago by Dan Taplitz and his wife, Sammi, and still based in Mount Kisco, Right Click Solutions now has 15 full-time employees and roughly 300 clients scattered across Westchester. “Our core focus is on helping small businesses and nonprofits with pretty much all of their technology needs, except their websites,” Taplitz says. “We’re people people, not just techy guys. We keep it safe and secure, but we break it down for our customers and explain how we fixed it.” —BC
Janitorial Services
WOW! Business Maintenance Solutions, Inc.
wowbmsolutions.com
WOW! Business Maintenance Solutions is a minority-owned-and-operated janitorial maintenance service based in White Plains. Since its founding in 2005, the company has prided itself on its four tenets of Teamwork, Transparency, Integrity, and Reliability in order to provide the best service possible to its customers. Due to the implementation of the latest technologies in the maintenance field, WOW! BMS is able to assure clients of an efficient and reliable service in addition to a healthy and orderly work environment. —WX
Logistics Provider
Capital Logistics
capitallogisticsllc.com
Cofounded in 2009 by Jeff Gerson and Michael Feig, Capital Logistics is a third-party logistics firm based out of White Plains. They specialize in temperature-controlled freight, so if you’ve ever wondered how perishables make it from Point A to Point B, look no further. Capital Logistics deals with both domestic and international door-to-door transportation services, assuring timely arrival and, in cases of international shipments, assistance with customs procedures. Acting as an extension of vendor companies, Capital Logistics connects them to their customers and equips those customers with comprehensive management, real-time visibility of the haul, and flexibility to combat any potential disruptions during transport. —WX
Networking Events
Business Council of Westchester
thebcw.org
Networking can be one of the most difficult aspects of building a new business. The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) acts as a bridge to close the distance between businesses, whether they are newly emerging, firmly rooted, entrepreneurial, or puissant multinationals, including navigating the complex and often arcane world of governmental agencies and bureaucracies. With more than 1,000 members, the BCW’s networking web is the biggest in Westchester and spans across universities, not-for-profits, small businesses, and multinationals. With programs such as the BCW Data Exchange, which helps guide business decisions through demographic research, and LEAP, which gives members direct access to lobbying efforts on the county, state, and national levels, the BCW arms its members with all the tools necessary to build a strong business foundation and achieve success. —WX
Office Furniture
Projects in Motion
officefurniture.space
Savvy market research and social media marketing helped White Plains-based office furniture supplier Projects in Motion flourish during COVID. CEO Joel Eisenberg quickly realized that the pandemic would lead to the need for protective devices in traditional office settings and a downright boom in home-office furniture. “People are working remotely, but they don’t want to sit at the dining-room table. They want to feel like they are at work, and companies are giving them money to do that.” Another plus: Projects in Motion represents over 500 manufacturers, which means that Eisenberg can find whatever his clients need. “Take a veterinarian clinic, for example: Most companies don’t carry such equipment and wouldn’t know where to start, but I do,” he explains. His large and diverse network of suppliers also helps him navigate supply-chain issues. “I know my sources, what’s in stock, and what I can get tomorrow,” says Eisenberg. He is also tireless when it comes to seeing jobs through. “I’ll show up at installations to make sure everything is going well; after all, my reputation is on the line.” —GR
Private Jet Service
Million Air
millionair.com/locations/hpn
“We strive to provide exceptional customer service every single day,” says Million Air’s general manager, Lauren Rones-Payne. “Our team in White Plains includes the most hardworking people I’ve ever met, all of whom share a true passion for aviation.” Million Air, known in the airport biz as a fixed-base operator, ensures that those who fly private out of Westchester County Airport have a seamless experience, from arrivals to departures and everything in between. The company’s gorgeous terminal features a passenger lounge that resembles an upscale ski lodge, complete with a large, stone fireplace. Luxury is a given, but Rones-Payne points out that the company is about much more than that. “We believe in giving back to the community in which we reside.” Million Air supports myriad charities chosen by its employees, including nonprofits that help young people discover the possibilities of careers in aviation. —GR
Promotional Products
JP Promotional Products
jppromoproducts.com
Located in Ossining, JP Promotional Products is a family-owned company that helps its clients create a brand identity by customizing, or even custom-creating, merchandise and promotional gear. The company takes a client’s ideas and transforms them into reality, allowing companies to display their uniqueness and stand out at tradeshows and events — and be remembered. With more than 40 years of combined industry experience, JP Promotional Products helps companies to grow their reach. —WX
Public Relations
Thompson & Bender
thompson-bender.com
The PR powerhouse of Thompson & Bender, or T&B, is back again with another consecutive Readers’ Choice win as Best Public Relations agency. Founded in 1987 in Briarcliff Manor, T&B offers a top-of-the-industry approach to connecting clients with influencers, leaders, partners, technology, media, and markets through creative campaigns and dedicated commitment. Toting more than 100 industry awards, 30 years of unfaltering experience, and a myriad of high-profile clients, T&B has certainly earned the right to call themselves the PR leaders of Westchester. —WX
Restaurant For Power Breakfast
City Limits Diner
citylimitsdiner.com
The power breakfast is as popular as ever at City Limits Diner. Located at the foot of Central Avenue in White Plains, the restaurant is known as a convenient meeting point for both locals and those coming from Connecticut, New Jersey, Manhattan, and beyond, says proprietor Nick Livanos.
Loyal customers order favorites like house-smoked salmon, orange-lemon waffle with fresh berries, or corned beef hash with poached eggs and chive hollandaise. Livanos, owner of the Livanos Restaurant Group, says the diner’s focus is on fresh ingredients. “Attention to the menu and quality is no different from Oceana, our higher-end Manhattan restaurant,” notes Livanos. —JJ
Restaurant For Power Lunch/ Dinner
Sam’s of Gedney Way
samsofgedneyway.com
Freshly renovated, with updates like a new HVAC system, this neighborhood institution in White Plains is a go-to spot for some much-needed face-to-face time with colleagues and/or clients. There are tables in the restaurant’s nooks and crannies that are perfect for privacy, co-owner Karen Herrero says, adding that the eclectic menu is prepared swiftly, for those who take “power hour” literally. Choose from appetizers, healthy salads, sandwiches, and daily market specials, like chilled soup and a lobster roll. “We are hoping that people who are working from home will choose to get dressed and come meet their customers here,” says Herrero. —JJ
Signage Company
Signarama
signarama.com
Creating an eye-catching sign that is unique to a company’s culture can have a powerful impact on how the business is perceived. Signarama’s three-year-old franchise in Millwood is going above and beyond to help area businesses achieve that goal. The full-service sign-and-graphics company can do anything from window graphics to large outdoor signage, interior signs, and more. Executive VP of Development Andrew Titus says the key to success is customer service. “That is number one for us — even if it can’t be done in-house directly, we’ll find a way to service that customer.” —JJ
Social Media Services
Buzz Creators
buzz-creators.com
Social media services are all about connecting clients and their followers in a fun and engaging way. At Buzz Creators, Inc., the boutique public relations firm that opened in 2009, the team has been providing informative and entertaining posts that capture the attention and create excitement for a variety of brands. “We help our clients set up and maintain their social media channels; we implement social media campaigns, analyze and measure their success, and of course, tweak them as needed,” says company president Christina Rae. —JJ
Staffing/ Recruitment Services
Freemont Yardley Search
fmyardley.com
It has been called an employee’s market recently, but both job-seekers and employers alike know that a knowledgeable and trustworthy staffing-and-recruitment firm provides an invaluable service to both. Jon Weiner founded Freemont Yardley Search in Mount Kisco five years ago and has been connecting companies with excellent candidates in fields from accounting and finance to technology, digital marketing, and more. “We build long-term relationships; we look at people as people, not just as résumés,” Weiner says. With fellow recruiter Karen Stelzl, the team focuses on mutual respect and partnerships with clients. “It sounds corny, but we care,” adds Weiner. —JJ
Store For Business Attire (Men’s)
Rothman’s
rothmansny.com
A polished look is classic and timeless, whether for business, casual, or formal events. With two locations in Westchester and its flagship in Manhattan, Rothman’s is a family-owned men’s clothing retailer that features designers who cover all the bases. After nearly 100 years, shoppers are still surprised and delighted with the constantly changing merchandise, which includes clothing, sportswear, shoes, and accessories. Special occasion coming up? The company specializes in a vast selection of suits, tuxedos, and formalwear, and the staff is ready to help outfit you from head to toe. —JJ
Store For Business Attire (Women’s)
Talbot’s
talbots.com
Getting back to the office in person — however many days a week that may be — calls for an assessment of your wardrobe. With locations in Chappaqua and Scarsdale, Talbot’s has a diverse selection of modern and classic women’s clothing, shoes, and fashion accessories to assemble the perfect outfit. Well known for carrying a variety of sizes, from petites to plus, the New England lifestyle brand features both workwear and casual fashions. For those who need a bit of one-on-one help, Talbot’s offers personal-shopping appointments to help create that “well-put-together look” customers have come to rely on since 1947. —JJ
Editor’s Picks
Best Minority-Owned Business
Cravin Jamaican Cuisine
cravinjc.com
A native of Jamaica who now lives in Briarcliff Manor, Peter Murdock opened the Ossining location of Cravin Jamaican in 2015, followed by a White Plains location in August 2021. “I always wanted to open a restaurant in White Plains — that was my dream,” says Murdock. When COVID hit in March 2020, “I had one dark moment about whether to close or try to stay open through the pandemic. Staying open was the best decision I ever made. We were able to serve the hospitals, serve the Army, and all of these fantastic frontline workers. I consider us frontline too.” His most popular dishes are the jerk chicken, the jerk salmon, and the rasta pasta, and it’s mostly family recipes in his kitchens. “I thank my grandmother and my mother for teaching me how to cook,” Murdock says. He now has 12 employees and a “very diverse clientele, which I love,” adding that many of his customers have been to Jamaica and want to taste that food again. “We want to give people that full island experience, with Jamaican music and that island vibe — and great-tasting food.” —BC
Best Community-Oriented Business
Regeneron
regeneron.com
Regeneron makes perfect sense as the recipient of our Best Community-Oriented Business award. One of the pharmaceutical giant’s founding principles is “doing well by doing good,” according to Christina Chan, senior VP of Corporate Communications and Citizenship. “Our mission as a company is to both create life-changing medicines and to contribute to the communities in which we live,” she explains. Regeneron established “A Day for Doing Good,” which has been expanded to a week, during which 40% of the firm’s employees in Westchester donate over 12,000 hours of service to 140 local nonprofit organizations. Regeneron is also a founding partner of the YWCA Westchester Center for Racial Equity, supports the Yonkers Partnership in Education program, and is the title sponsor of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest international precollege STEM competition, with awards totaling nearly $8 million. —GR
Best Family-Owned Business
Paraco Gas
paracogas.com
Headquartered in Rye Brook, Paraco Gas is one of the largest privately held propane distributors in the U.S., servicing primarily the Northeast. Paraco Gas earned our Editor’s Pick as Best Family-Owned Business through generational collaboration toward the company’s success. Pat Armentano started Patsems, Inc., in 1968 from a garage in Mount Vernon; in 1979, Patsems entered the propane industry by purchasing a small propane and oil marketer called Paraco Fuel Corp. The company is now in the hands of his son, Joseph Armentano, and a third generation through Pat’s granddaughter, Christina Armentano. —WX
Best Exciting Newcomer
Lionsgate + Great Point Studios
greatpointstudios.com
Entertainment behemoth Lionsgate has set up shop in Yonkers — and we couldn’t be more excited. Boasting more than one million square feet of soundstages, offices, support spaces, and backlots, this downtown-Yonkers waterfront property will be hard to miss. Lionsgate’s most impressive features don’t stop at producing box-office hits like The Hunger Games and Twilight franchises but extend to doing its best to help the environment while producing great entertainment. Equipped with 2.4 megawatts of solar power, an acre of rooftop green space, and a sustainable rooftop garden, Lionsgate is making an impressive effort to minimize its carbon footprint. —WX
Woman-Owned Business
By the Way Bakery
btwbakery.com
Opening a gluten-free, dairy-free, certified-kosher, made-from-scratch bakery was a master move for Helene Godin, who in 2010 chose to become an entrepreneur after having worked more than 20 years as a media attorney. Now, with four locations and products available in 80 Whole Foods stores, the CEO has obviously found the recipe for success. “I’d like to think that I’m a great role model for both my male and female employees — that it’s okay to work for a strong woman,” Godin says. As for some of her favorite products, Godin loves the coconut cloud cake, the almond cookies, and the individual “Amy” Bundt cakes. —JJ
Excellence in Nonprofit
Feeding Westchester
feedingwestchester.org
Feeding Westchester is one of those organizations that helps renew our hope in humanity. Founded in 1988, Feeding Westchester has been responsible for 95% of all emergency food distribution in the Westchester area. In 2021 alone, the organization was able to distribute 22 million pounds of food to families in need. Its mission is to combat the nourishment crisis that so many of today’s families are fighting — no mean feat, yet Feeding Westchester is determined to take on the challenge. From its Elmsford warehouse, Feeding Westchester serves 200,000 people a month, on average, including 60,000 children. —WX
Related: Meet 914INC.’s Best of Business Award Winners in 2021