April 23, 2020 (Inver Grove Heights, MN) – The River Heights Chamber of Commerce celebrated with the business community at its first-ever Virtual Small Business of the Year Award and Trade Show on Thursday, April 23.

“Our small businesses are a critical piece of our community, and as such, the River Heights Chamber felt like it was important to continue to celebrate business success during these challenging times and decided the show must go on,” noted Chairman of the Board, Adam Bengtson with Endorse Communications.   The River Heights Chamber has held a traditional Salute to Small Business Award Luncheon and Trade Show for the past 31 years and found a creative way to highlight its members in a virtual trade show with business videos on the Chamber’s website and through a YouTube Playlist, as well as, have its keynote speaker (Scott Welle of Outperform the Norm) present, and award the 2020 Small Business of the Year recipient during a national pandemic. Check out the local businesses in the Virtual Trade Show at https://riverheights.com/virtualtradeshow.

Earlier this year, the Chamber accepted nominations from local community members who they felt rose above the crowd in how they conducted business. The River Heights Chamber’s Recognition Committee reviewed the applications and selected this year’s recipient, Mississippi Pub!

Joe and Melissa Harms, owners of Mississippi Pub in Inver Grove Heights, were honored with the River Heights Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Small Business of the Year Award.  Harms shared their philosophy and how they run Mississippi Pub as, “We want them (people), when they leave the Pub to be happy, be full, go tell their friends, bring them back, and just really enjoy their time that they spend at the Pub.” Mississippi Pub was started in 1999 by Joe’s father and sister – “there weren’t a lot of places on the river that you could boat up to, and have a beverage and some food, and take your family, so that was ultimately the driving force of why Mississippi Pub started,” Harms added,  “plus it was a perfect location.”  Joe started working as a bartender at the Pub on the first day it opened and now owns and operates the business from top to bottom.  They have grown significantly over the years and did a remodel in 2016. Mississippi Pub is constantly expanding and growing, developing new food, ideas, drink menus, and continuing trying to adapt to the times.

The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes an organization that has been in business for five years or more, has 20 or fewer employees, has at least two years of membership in the River Heights Chamber, and encompasses a business that has a commitment to the community through its involvement and assistance to community organizations, to its employees, suppliers and customer relationships, in addition to, a commitment to excellence in service, business ethics, friendliness and business operations.  Mississippi Pub outperforms in all of these areas, and they personally and professionally enjoy giving back to the community. Joe stated they donate to many organizations and benefits, sponsor events and volunteer their time through the River Heights Chamber of Commerce, as well as, he coaches youth athletics.

Joe and Melissa Harms, owners of Mississippi Pub and River Heights Marina added, “We appreciate being nominated for this award and we appreciate the support we get from the River Heights Chamber, it’s staff and all of its members. Thank you for moving forward with presenting us with this award.”

Congratulations to Mississippi Pub!

This event was supported by our generous sponsors, Town Square Television, Enbridge Energy, Minnesota Vikings Football, LLC, Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham and DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton Downtown St. Paul.

Watch their award video here: