Java Beach Café and Harrington Galleries to Receive Family Business Award
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 30, 2014 -- The University of San Francisco (USF) School of Management is proud to announce Java Beach Café and Harrington Galleries are the recipients of the 2014 Gellert Family Business Award. The annual award recognizes extraordinary business achievement and community service, and is made possible by a generous gift from The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation. Java Beach Café and Harrington Galleries will be honored during a formal awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 21 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Handlery Dining Room on USF's Lone Mountain (2800 Turk Blvd., San Francisco 94117).
“Java Beach Café and Harrington Galleries show us how successful family businesses serve as the cornerstones of communities,” said Monika Hudson, assistant professor in USF’s School of Management and director of the Gellert Family Business Center, now celebrating its 20th anniversary at USF. “They are intelligent entrepreneurs who exemplify the business acumen, tenacity, and passion for their community we are proud to applaud.”
Java Beach Café’s three locations, one across from the San Francisco Zoo, another on Judah and La Playa, and the third on Judah and 48th Avenue, frame the Outer Sunset neighborhood. Specializing in fine coffee, and offering a variety of wines, beers, and delicious food items, Java Beach has been a community staple for more than 20 years.
Patrick and Buffy Maguire, both native San Franciscans, are the husband and wife team behind Java Beach Café. Not only do the cafes provide patrons with excellent food, drinks, and service, but also maintain outstanding commitment to the greater San Francisco community. Java Beach annually sponsors an event where loyal customers and community members gather to clean up Ocean Beach. Java Beach also participates in many local events and activities held in Golden Gate Park.
“What started out with trying to provide people with a great cup of coffee, quickly grew into a community gathering spot where everyone is different and everyone is welcome,” said Buffy Maguire. “This community is an extension of our family and Java Beach is a labor of love. We are greatly honored by this award.”
Harrington Galleries has been part of the San Francisco community for more than 40 years. In 1968, Jarlath O'Connor was working for the San Francisco Fire Department and purchased Harrington Bros with his wife, Iris. The moving company and used furniture store operated under their direction for more than
When Fiona O'Connor Devereux took over the business from her parents, she rebranded the businesses as Harrington Galleries and now concentrates on vintage furniture, new inventory and continues to carry antiques. In a tribute to the tenacity and determination of Iris and Jarlath O’Connor’s, Harrington thrives today during its 4th decade as a San Francisco small business. Harrington Galleries has been a regular participant and supporter of Valencia Sunday Streets since it began.
Fiona O'Connor Devereux said she was moved to tears when she found out Harrington Galleries was selected as one of this year’s recipients. “The art of running and rebranding a family business is a test of character and tenacity because of the decades of emotional history invested,” she said. “Harrington’s has served the Mission District since 1968. My parents invested years into the business and the neighborhood. Harrington’s has been a benchmark of the community and adapted to the changes and needs of our customers and neighbors.”
As Gellert award recipients, these businesses will receive technical and academic support from the Gellert Family Business Resource Center at USF. The specific assistance is tailored to the needs of each company. Recent support has included review of planning permit applications, expanding website presence, and developing marketing plans.
Under the direction of Monika Hudson, School of Management students meet with the family to learn about the issues they define as important to their businesses. With this information, the USF team then drafts a comprehensive business assessment and action strategy to tackle the issues.
Since 1994, the center takes a three-pronged approach to serving by:
• Recognizing excellence.
• Keeping family businesses informed.
• Developing family business leadership.
The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation’s mission is to promote educational, charitable, scientific, literary, or religious programs in the nine counties of the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The Gellert Foundation is the primary contributor to the USF Gellert Family Business Center.
Members of the media interested in covering the May 21 event, or to request interviews should contact Anne-Marie Devine, USF’s senior director of media relations, at 415.422.2697 or abdevine(at)usfca(dot)edu.
About the University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the world's most innovative and stunning cities and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes, and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco's first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a student's passion for social justice and a desire to “Change the World from Here.” For more information, please visit http://www.usfca.edu.
Anne-Marie Devine, University of San Francisco, +1 (415) 422-2697, [email protected]
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