News

The 2025 Irondequoit Chamber Annual Awards Celebration, held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Imaginarium at I-Square, was united by a shared and powerful theme: community. While many entrepreneurs begin their journeys to provide for their families and achieve financial success, this year’s award recipients have chosen to stand for something more. Through their leadership, service, and unwavering commitment, they have demonstrated that strong businesses can also be meaningful forces for good—and they consistently deliver on that promise.

As we watched the photo reels and listened to Annual Awards Committee Chair Alice Willis-Hansen reflect on each honoree, we were reminded of the many ways these individuals and organizations show up for Irondequoit. We learned about community-centered initiatives like 2 Ton Tony’s Pizza Pixie and Little Bits’ First Responder and Teacher Give Back programs. We heard stories of the Genrich family going above and beyond in customer service— going as far as checking in on regular customers when a familiar pickup is missed. We were inspired by adults creating safe spaces and serving as mentors to local youth, such as Seabreeze Amusement Park’s steadfast commitment to remaining a family-first destination without compromising its values to compete with larger thrill parks.

Throughout the evening, we watched as multiple individuals credited Tony and Kathy Prioetti as influential mentors during their teenage years—support that helped shape their paths to success today. Their message was clear: always be there for your community and for those in need. More importantly, they live that message every day.

From the newly revitalized buildings at Culver Ridge Plaza to the 150-year legacy of Seabreeze, this year’s Annual Award recipients prove that Irondequoit is a town that embraces progress while honoring its history. It was especially meaningful to witness the story of the Magar family fulfill Debbie, Bill’s mom's, dream of opening Little Bits, to see Genevieve and Stephanie step confidently into the next generation of iconic Irondequoit businesses and to have Tony & Kathy share their journey of Tony's battle with cancer and their love that triumphs over it. 

There is so much more ahead for each of these Annual Award recipients. We are fortunate that they have chosen Irondequoit as home—and cannot wait to be part of the next leg of their journey. 

 Pictured from left to right are our 2025 Annual Award recipients:

• Jeff Saeger, JADD Management | Culver Ridge Plaza:  Site Beautification Award
• Genevieve Norris-Brown, Seabreeze Amusement Park: Legacy Award
• Deborah & Stephanie Genrich (back row), Genrich's Garden Center Florist & Greenhouses: Customer Service Excellence Award 
• Kathy & Tony Proietti (front row), 2 Ton Tony's Pizza: Persons of the Year
• Cayli and Bill Magar, Little Bits Coffee Roaster: Emerging Business Award

The Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize our members who have served our community for 25 years or more in 2025.  These businesses are not simply services providers or store fronts, they are our youth sports sponsors, our first jobs, a safe space for our children, our neighbors and more.  Each person and/or business honored in our 25+ in 2025 celebration has made a lasting impact on Irondequoit.  

    

Exciting news! The ICC is growing and we are looking for a part-time Administrative Assistant.

This position will play an active role in supporting our chamber. Please see the below job description and if you are interested please send your cover letter and resume to admin@irondequoitchamber.org with the subject line: "Resume".

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Administrative Assistant (Part-Time)

Location: Irondequoit, New York

15-20 hours per month

Organizational Overview:

The Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) is a membership-driven business advocacy organization for businesses and individuals living or working in Irondequoit, New York. We use networking to create a strong business community which allows the Irondequoit community as well as individual businesses to prosper.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant to support the ICC with various administrative duties and assist with membership, events and monthly meetings. This position will report to the President of the ICC. The successful candidate must have excellent organizational and communication skills, be detail-oriented and able to multi-task. The Administrative Assistant will need to be able to work independently and use their own initiative.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Meetings:

• Attend monthly board and committee meetings to take meeting minutes
• Post minutes to website and send to board members with list of actionable items
• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes and other materials needed for meetings and distribute to board members one week in advance
• Responsible for meeting coordination and communication including member scheduling, reserving meeting location and posting meeting details on the Band App (internal communications app) and the ICC website

Membership:

• Respond to or delegate member inquiries regarding account changes
• Make calls or communicate with members via email or USPS on behalf of the Membership Committee

Events:

• Initiate contact to potential event sponsors (email, phone, site visit)
• Collect raffle items/donations and gather items needed for events including ordering banners, awards and certificates
• Coordinate attendee registration at Chamber events
• Work closely with Communications Coordinator and Event Chairs to assist in event coordination
  

Communications:

• Monitor emails and handle inquiries or direct them to the appropriate individual within 48 hours
• Print, prepare and send out mailings

Qualifications:

• Strong written and oral communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Quick learner who can solve problems independently.
• Highly detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• High level of computer literacy; must be proficient with MS Office.
• Must have own computer with MS Office.
• Must provide own transportation for site visits, gathering mail from P.O. Box and donation items.
• Available during daytime hours for monthly meeting and scheduled events

Compensation:

From $20.00-$22.00 hourly.

How to Apply:

The Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce is soliciting applications for this position immediately. Please forward cover letter and resume to admin@irondequoitchamber.org with the subject line: "Resume".

We are an equal opportunity employer and seek individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply to this position.

This May, the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce held their annual Joe Genier Memorial Scholarship luncheon honoring three amazing Seniors from each of the three local high schools.  Each Senior was chosen by their administration for exemplifying leadership within their schools and communities and excelling in academics and business.  With the help of sponsors and the gracious donation of the Genier family, the scholarship recipients were each awarded a $1500 scholarship. 

Pictured from left to right: Board Member Nicole Genier, Eastridge Recipient: James Dietz, Bishop Kearney Recipient: Dominic DiLettera, West Irondequoit Recipient: Evelyn Dean, Chamber Vice President Brighid Simonds

Exciting news! The ICC is growing and we are looking for a part-time Administrative Assistant. This position will play an active role in supporting our chamber. Please see the below job description and if you are interested please send your cover letter and resume to admin@irondequoitchamber.org with the subject line: "Resume".

Administrative Assistant (Part-Time)

Location: Irondequoit, New York

15-20 hours per month

Organizational Overview:

The Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) is a membership-driven business advocacy organization for businesses and individuals living or working in Irondequoit, New York. We use networking to create a strong business community which allows the Irondequoit community as well as individual businesses to prosper.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant to support the ICC with various administrative duties and assist with membership, events and monthly meetings. This position will report to the President of the ICC. The successful candidate must have excellent organizational and communication skills, be detail-oriented and able to multi-task. The Administrative Assistant will need to be able to work independently and use their own initiative.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Meetings:

• Attend monthly board and committee meetings to take meeting minutes
• Post minutes to website and send to board members with list of actionable items
• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes and other materials needed for meetings and distribute to board members one week in advance
• Responsible for meeting coordination and communication including member scheduling, reserving meeting location and posting meeting details on the Band App (internal communications app) and the ICC website

Membership:

• Present a welcome package to new members within the first 14 days of membership
• Respond to member inquiries regarding account changes

• Conduct monthly review and reconciliation of member accounts and contact members whose accounts have an outstanding balance or have lapsed
• Record any payments that come through the P.O. Box into the accounts receivable application (Wild Apricot)

Events:

• Initiate contact to potential event sponsors (email, phone, site visit)
• Collect raffle items/donations and gather items needed for events including ordering banners, awards and certificates
• Coordinate attendee registration at Chamber events
• Research and secure event venues and coordinate logistics including menu options

Communications:

• Monitor emails and handle inquiries or direct them to the appropriate individual
• Check P.O. Box weekly for mail and distribute accordingly
• Print, prepare and send out mailings

Qualifications:

• Strong written and oral communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Quick learner who can solve problems independently.
• Highly detail-oriented with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• High level of computer literacy; must be proficient with MS Office.
• Must have own computer with MS Office.
• Must provide own transportation for site visits, gathering mail from P.O. Box and donation items.

Compensation:

From $20.00-$22.00 hourly.

How to Apply:

The Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce is soliciting applications for this position immediately. Please forward cover letter and resume to admin@irondequoitchamber.org with the subject line: "Resume".

We are an equal opportunity employer and seek individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply to this position.

This was the best year yet, with the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce donating $5k from the J. Genier Charity Mini Golf Tournament to the Sunset House.  Each year the ICC holds this tournament in memory of its founder, the late Honorable Joe Genier.  With the support of local businesses who sponsor the event and the community participants, each year the ICC is able to offer more financial support to The Sunset House. 

The Sunset House is an end of life facility offering families support and the comfort of a home while going through some of their hardest times. They have dedicated volunteers and a long standing board committed to their vision.  You can learn more about The Sunset House on their website. 

Each year the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce raises money through generous sponsors to award one senior from each of the three local high schools perusing a career in business a scholarship.  The scholarship was renamed after our late friend and board member who began the scholarship,  Judge Joseph Genier.  His children matched the donations this year and we were able to award each student $1500.  Here are the those three students.  To read their full bios and see our amazing sponsors please check out our digital program. 

Nick Stebbins, Owner of Mad Hatter's Hideaway, presents a $1,800 check along with the ICC to Sunset House Bookkeeper Darlene Herbert and the Executive Board of Sunset House. A huge thank you goes out to Nick and Mad Hatter's for being the Platinum sponsor of the Joe Genier Miniature Golf Tournament held this past at Whispering Pines. We also want to thank all our participants who joined us and donated.

The Sunset House Hospice is an alternate living arrangement for 2 people in their final stages of terminal illness who cannot be cared for in their own home. Sunset House relies solely on Volunteers, fundraising and donations. They do not receive insurance nor grants nor government funding. It costs about $450/night for this loving, caring and important support to our loved ones during their end of life journey. To donate please go to http://www.sunsethouse.info

The Mini Gold Tournament will be held again next year on Thursday 9/14/2023 at Whispering Pines miniature Golf course. Thank you once again to Jim & Greg Papis of Whispering Pines for hosting the Tournament and to Kelly and Don Bush of The Union Tavern for hosting the dinner.

  

We are so fortunate to have the support of the Irondequoit community and business community! Each year we continue this tournament in memory of our friend and to benefit our local Sunset House because of you.  Every registrant, every sponsor, every gift and venue donated helps put dollars where they count.  We cannot thank everyone enough for such a wonderful evening.  The rain couldn't ruin our spirit!

Check out more photos on our Facebook page!

 

We enjoyed a beautiful afternoon welcoming The Studios to Irondequoit.  Tiffany and Destiny have a wonderful set up on Titus Ave where they photograph everything from babies and families to furry friends! The duo is also supporting local women business owners by dedicating a section of their studio to carrying their products. We know you'll love the scenery choices and warm inviting atmosphere so be sure to check them out!