“Tonight, I pledge to keep giving back my energy and my time to our community to achieve higher highs, to infuse new ideas, and to always use fresh thinking.” That’s what John H. Lymberis said as he stood at the podium of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner. Lymberis is the owner of Harry’s the Neighborhood Place, Athena’s Kafenio, and ZING Sushi. He also has completed multiple development projects in the area, including Quarry Ridge, Sadsbury Self Storage, and Lafayette Square Apartments. 

The Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce honored John with the Joseph G. Filoromo, Jr. Community Service Award during the event at the Gardens at Applecross. Every year, this award is bestowed upon a group or individual who has shown great commitment in serving their community in western Chester County. Both Alissa Steele-Griffith, of Quik-Stop Pharmacy and Greg Vietri, of G.A. Vietri, Inc. had the honor of presenting John H. Lymberis with the award. 

John said, “most importantly, I always want to cherish the history, the legacy, and the memory of the people who got us here, like Mr. Filoromo and like my father. I want to aspire to be like them and to have my children watch what we do and have them do it, just as we all have.” 

Greg Vietri spoke about the history of Joseph G. Filoromo. 

“The Joseph G. Filoromo Community Service Award was established in 1979 by the Chamber to honor Mr. Filoromo, who was a legend in the community,” he said. 

The Filoromo family history spans back eight decades in western Chester County as they operated the Coatesville Coca-Cola Bottling Company. In addition to his successful business operations, his community service impacted his neighbors greatly and in result the award named for him continues to honor business owners with the same mission. 

Steele-Griffith spoke about John H. Lymberis’ impact in the community. 

“The story of John is one of family and community,” she said.

John’s parents, Athena and Harry emigrated to the United States from Greece in the sixties. Athena and Harry purchased the property now known as Harry’s the Neighborhood Place. John, after finishing a college degree in architecture, came back home and helped to remodel and rebrand Harry’s. After John’s renovations, he made Harry’s a destination in the community, one that is revered by generations of patrons. 

“John not only provides dining opportunities to the area, but is also responsible for the infrastructure. He was a leader in bringing the streetscapes and sidewalks to Sadsburyville,” Steele-Griffith said. 

Through John’s work, he helped create a small-town community, where people can walk the neighborhood and feel truly at home. John gives back to his community in so many ways. When Harry’s celebrated their 50th anniversary this past May, the whole month was dedicated to giving back proceeds to different non-profits and organizations in the area. 

Following the presentation of the Community Service Award, Rachel Cathell, executive director of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, presented the Elliott R. Jones Award to Michael Guyer of Mid Penn Bank. This award is given each year to an individual that has enlisted dedication and volunteerism that has uplifted and strengthened the Chamber of Commerce and the businesses within. 

Rachel said, “Michael has served as the treasurer of our chamber for the last five years. His methods are strategic and his razor-sharp financial insight has provided our organization with capabilities we didn’t think possible ten years ago.” 

With Michael’s guidance, the Chamber has created a new opportunity fund to provide additional services to members, strengthened their financial core to record health, and hired on a third employee. 

While accepting the award, Guyer said, “I’ve been a part of this chamber for a long time and it’s such a special place. It brings all of us together. I couldn’t do this without the help of everyone. I help with the financial side and I see how much this chamber has grown. I feel like I’ve added some value, but I’ve gotten so much more back.” 

Both State Representative Dan Williams and Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell were in attendance and presented Lymberis and Guyer with citations for their hard work and contribution to the community. 

The annual dinner, with presenting sponsor Presence Bank, was led by Brenda McNeil, the 2023 Board President of the Chamber. She spoke about the progress the Chamber has made this year and the accomplishments they continue to reach for. 

“The Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce, or ChescoWest, is a truly special place to be,” she said. “We are collaborative, supportive, and dedicated to all of those who live and work here.” 

Looking forward to the Chamber’s future, she said, “We’re rolling out a Small Business Growth Grant in 2024. This Chamber is in a place where we can give back to our businesses, who we support and who have supported us right back.” 

Also at the event, the chamber introduced the 2024 incoming President, Mikaila Szkil, of Citadel Federal Credit Union. 

She said,“Each person I’ve met here has had the chamber’s mission shine through them. My goal is to continue to provide the support that I’ve been given. I believe one of the most important aspects of the chamber is offering a sense of community and I plan to commit to show members that this is an aspect that ChescoWest has always had. We often hear the saying, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ but I feel we can say that it takes a village to raise a business. ChescoWest is that village.” 

Since 1916, the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce has been representing business owners’ best interests. The chamber is a member-based organization made up of businesses and organizations of all sizes and across a diverse span of industries. The chamber is guided by business leaders, working to improve western Chester County’s economic climate to create a region that is well-connected, innovative and accessible for business and community growth. Chamber members engage in programs that provide them with tools such as networking, visibility, business education and advocacy to grow their operations in western Chester County. Visit the chamber’s website at westernchestercounty.com.