From left, David Moulton, Marylee Ballou, Tim Gardner, Lisa Gardner, Cali Bartlett, Connor O’Brien, Laura Popielski and Gregg Chapman

POTSDAM -- Jernabi Coffeehouse-St. Lawrence Valley Roasters was honored by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce as the 2015 Business of the Year.

In late March, Jernabi closed briefly for renovations and reopened its doors to a larger space on April 7.

In 2008, Tim Gardner brought his love for coffee into business by converting a portion of his garage into a small-scale coffee roasting operation, and St. Lawrence Valley Roasters was born. Gardner’s roastery has specialized in small batch roasting of specialty coffees, offering a wide range of Fair Trade Organic and Rainforest Alliance coffees, as well as regular and flavored coffees at the shop.

Three years ago, Gardner purchased the Jernabi Coffeehouse on Maple Street and “it has become a treasure in downtown,” according to the Potsdam Chamber.

Gardner was previously recognized for his entrepreneurship by the St. Lawrence County IDA and also by the Clarkson University Reh Center for Entrepreneurship in 2012.

Gardner accepted the award and thanked is supportive wife Lisa Gardner. He also gave much of the credit for the success of the coffeehouse to his employees.

The Potsdam Chamber also recognized the follow businesses and organizations celebrating a milestone anniversary this year:

10 years - Beth Sevey, masseuse, Potsdam Charity Hankfest Group

25 years - The Cheshire Cat, SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center

30 years - The Clarkson Inn, Boyden Brook Body Works, Smalling Motel South and Canton-Potsdam Hospital Foundation

35 years - MVP Sports, Lawrence Ave. Apartments and Penski Inc.

40 years - Northwestern Mutual Melchoir Agency, Potsdam Volunteer Rescue Squad

60 years - WPDM-AM, Harris Medical

65 years - The College Store

90 years - Canton-Potsdam Hospital

115 years - Potsdam Laundry

180 years - Trinity Episcopal Church