Douglas County businesses honored

Park Heritage is pretty spry for an outfit that’s 140 years old.

With the completion of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Overland Restaurant, and 400 employees, the company was honored recently with a Douglas County Entrepreneur Spotlight Award.

Jon Park accepted the award at the third annual Financial State of the County held at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden.

“My brother, David, and I are proud of what we’ve done,” he said. “The county has been for the most part fantastic to work with. We feel that what we do that’s good for the community comes around to us.”

About 60 people attended the event where the county spotlighted businesses, recognized employees and talked about what it has achieved over the past year.

Minden Meat & Deli received the spotlight award for a restaurant. With 17 employees and a second eatery called VinoTini’s, the Minden restaurant is celebrating its 1,000th consecutive day on June 24.

Douglas County Commissioner Greg Lynn said he’s had an account with Ace Hardware for 35 years.

“When I need stuff, and I need a lot of stuff, that’s where I go,” he said. Lynn pointed out that the hometown hardware store has survived the move from Minden to Industrial Way and Walmart.

Carson Valley Golf Course was honored with a spotlight award for sports and recreation.

Chamber of Commerce Director Bill Chernock, who said he was on the course when he learned he was presenting the award, described it as “the beauty you grew up with.”

Owner Tom Brooks said the family took over the golf course in 1983.

“We strive to make it better every time,” he said.

The manufacturing spotlight award was presented to Zephyr Photonics, which has been at Lake Tahoe for 25 years, and recently opened a production facility in Carson Valley.

Heavenly was recognized for tourism and hospitality.

Design Workshop received the spotlight award for business and professional service.

“The business owners in Douglas County continue to invest in our community and work with us on the development of long-term projects that not only help our economic climate, but enhance our quality of life,” said County Manager Jim Nichols. “We are very fortunate to have these businesses in our community and it was an honor to be able to recognize them.”