Beatitudes, 210 N. Main St., Ada, is the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce outstanding  business of the year.

The announcement was made at the chamber’s annual luncheon meeting at The Inn at ONU on March 17 by Becky Neville, chamber board president.

What started in 2006 as a community center with the name of Restore has grown to an important pillar in the community. Now called Beatitudes, the center works as a community safety net, retail business and community center.

Neville spelled out the many features of Beatitudes. These include an organization that provides emergency support to residents facing hardships, utility bill assistance, a free lunch program for area youth in the summer, community meals (once covid-19 restrictions are lifted again), plus a storefront offering clothing at $1 each.

Beatitudes receives support from First United Methodist Church, which initially launched it, plus support from United Way of Hardin County and the Hardin County Community Foundation. It is the local connection to the West Ohio Food Bank.

Among its special events in the past 12 months included an opportunity for Ada youth to purchase Christmas gifts for family members. Over 1,000 potential gifts were available and 137 youth participated, who otherwise may not have had gifts to place under the Christmas tree.

Deb Curlis is Beatitudes director. She accepted the award with several board members attending the luncheon including Joe Campoli, Susan Hurd, Kurt Klinger and First United Methodist Church pastor, Rev. Brandi Rigsby.

Recent businesses of the year
2013 – Everhart Trucking
2014 – Ada Public Library
2015 – Liberty National Bank
2016 – Ada Icon
2017 – Easter House Bed and Breakfast
2018 – Hays Insurance
2019 – 302 Carryout
2020 - Century 21 Sunway Realty