Presents Salute to Small Business
DV8 Kitchen & Bakery Named 2025 Small Business of the Year:
LEFT TO RIGHT: Drew Amman (WLEX-TV), ceramic artist Wyman Rice, Larry Forester (Forcht Bank), Diane & Rob Perez (DV8 Kitchen), and Bob Quick (Commerce Lexington). Photo by Mahan Multimedia
At the Commerce Lexington 2025 Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon presented by Forcht Bank, DV8 Kitchen & Bakery was named the 2025 Small Business of the Year. Other award winners included BACK Construction (Business Success) and the Hope Center (Nonprofit Community Impact). The week-long celebration featured Facebook Live segments at each award winner, a panel discussion with representatives of the award recipients, a Night at Legends Field honoring local business as part of the 250Lex celebration, and an awards luncheon.
Commerce Lexington President and CEO, Bob Quick, said, “Our Salute to Small Business awards program is a wonderful opportunity for us to say thank you to the risk takers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who have turned their vision into something special that stands the test of time. This year is even more special with our city recognizing Business Month in August as part of the 250Lex celebration. We appreciate the significant impact that small businesses have on our community and region.”
Commerce Lexington recently began a tradition of partnering with local artists in the creative community to showcase their exceptional work and enhance some of our key events. This year’s custom award presented to Small Business of the Year winner DV8 Kitchen was created by ceramic artist Wyman Rice, who studied art and ceramics at University of Louisville and University of Kentucky. His work has been featured in Joe Molinaro’s book “A Pottery Tour of Kentucky” and in various magazines.
Commerce Lexington President and CEO, Bob Quick, said, “Our Salute to Small Business awards program is a wonderful opportunity for us to say thank you to the risk takers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who have turned their vision into something special that stands the test of time. This year is even more special with our city recognizing Business Month in August as part of the 250Lex celebration. We appreciate the significant impact that small businesses have on our community and region.”
Commerce Lexington recently began a tradition of partnering with local artists in the creative community to showcase their exceptional work and enhance some of our key events. This year’s custom award presented to Small Business of the Year winner DV8 Kitchen was created by ceramic artist Wyman Rice, who studied art and ceramics at University of Louisville and University of Kentucky. His work has been featured in Joe Molinaro’s book “A Pottery Tour of Kentucky” and in various magazines.
2025 Salute to Small Business Award Winners
DV8 Kitchen is a social enterprise restaurant and bakery providing second chance employment to people in early recovery from addiction. With two Lexington locations and a wholesale bakery, DV8 continues to grow while leading community education efforts around recovery, re-entry, and stigma reduction.
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Since 1981, BACK Construction has grown from a small framing company into one of Lexington’s top employee-owned design-build firms. The company continues to thrive with award-winning growth, full-service offerings, and a strong commitment to its team and customers.
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The Hope Center provides comprehensive support for individuals facing homelessness, recovery, and re-entry through over 30 programs across eight locations. In 2024 alone, it served tens of thousands of meals, shelter nights, and clothing items—meeting people where they are with dignity and compassion.
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Salute to Small Business Week
An entire week dedicated to celebrating and getting to know the 2025 Salute to Small Business Award Winners! Join us at one or all of the special events below and don't forget to tune in to the daily Facebook LIVE segments with our featured businesses.
August 12th
@330 Award Winners Panel Join us for a special @330 event hosted at 46Solutions, where the winners will share their inspiring stories and insights via panel discussion. |
August 13th
Salute to Small Business Night with the Lexington Legends Join us at Legends Field for Salute to Small Business Night at the ballpark. As a part of the 250 Lex Business Month celebration, Commerce Lexington members will receive a ticket discount! |
August 15th
Salute to Small Business Luncheon The grand finale! Don’t miss the Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon at the Central Bank Center from noon to 1:30 p.m., where we will announce the 2025 Small Business of the Year! |
2025 SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS SPONSORS
PRESENTED BY:
PLATINUM SPONSOR:
MEDIA PARTNER:
VIDEO SPONSOR:
Lamar Advertising
VIDEO PRODUCER:
Wrigley Media Group
GOLD SPONSORS:
Central Bank & Trust Co.
Highbridge Springs Water
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader & Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
LM Communications
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
SILVER SPONSORS:
C-Forward
Electronic Business Machines
Sutherland & Associates
Traditional Bank
WesBanco Bank
WUKY 91.3FM
SMALL BUSINESS SPONSORS:
British Swim School of North Lexington
Churchill McGee
Derrick Whitaker Designs
ExecuTrain
Hubbard Mechanical
RSR Benefits
Tresane LLC
Lamar Advertising
VIDEO PRODUCER:
Wrigley Media Group
GOLD SPONSORS:
Central Bank & Trust Co.
Highbridge Springs Water
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader & Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
LM Communications
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
SILVER SPONSORS:
C-Forward
Electronic Business Machines
Sutherland & Associates
Traditional Bank
WesBanco Bank
WUKY 91.3FM
SMALL BUSINESS SPONSORS:
British Swim School of North Lexington
Churchill McGee
Derrick Whitaker Designs
ExecuTrain
Hubbard Mechanical
RSR Benefits
Tresane LLC