Warners' Stellian Named 2008 Business of the Year!

The Business of the Year award was created to recognize a company that has demonstrated business success, innovation, leadership and commitment to the Midway business community.

Warners' Stellian clearly has those attributes as well as being a premier example of a successful family business.

The story began on Snelling Avenue when Jim Warner took a sales job at Stellian's appliance store in 1953. After many years as a valued employee, Jim bought the business and added his name to the nameplate. With Warners' Stellian, he established a solid foundation for success by offering the best products available and making sure every customer received exceptional service from sale to delivery.

Those values were passed on to his children and today the company is owned by all nine of his children and actively operated by five members of the Warner family.

Their investment in their new corporate headquarters and warehouse in the Great Northern Business Center just off Dale and Front was a significant venture for the Midway and gives Warners' Stellian the capacity to double their sales and volume in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Family members are very active in organizations and charitable causes.

Jeff Warner, for instance, is on the Midway Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Twin Cities and Metro Independent Business Alliance Board of Directors. He is also active with the National Association of The Remodeling Industry and the Builders Association of the Twin Cities.

Congratulations Warners' Stellian and thank you for all you do for the Midway community!

Congratulations to Brian Thoemke, 2008 Business Person of the Year!

It is through the direction of our business owners and leaders, not the business entity itself that partnerships are formed that benefit the greater community. One such leader and this year's Business Person of the Year is Brian Thoemke, President of Midwest Staffing Group, Inc.

Brian has served on the Midway Chamber Board of Directors for eight years. In 2007 he chaired the Board and has also served as co-chair of numerous committees over his eight years of service.

The Midway Chamber deeply appreciates Brian's contributions to the chamber and local community. In addition to the countless Great University Avenue Clean Ups, Membership Drives and other chamber events; Brian has been serving on the Central Corridor Business Advisory Council. Through his work on this council, Brian has been providing the Met Council with valuable information and concerns that both businesses and property owners have related to the construction of light rail.

Congratulations Brian and thank you for all you do! It is leaders like yourself that help the Midway Chamber thrive in today's business environment.