Elkins business leaders honored with inaugural awards
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The Inter-Mountain photo by Tim MacVean
Big Timber Brewing Company president and owner Matt Kwasniewski accepts the inaugural Horizon Award from Elkins Main Street during the Heritage and Horizon Awards reception Thursday afternoon at the 206 Apartments in downtown Elkins. Also pictured is Kwasniewski's 9-month-old son Grant.
ELKINS -- Two area entrepreneurs were honored during a ceremony Thursday for their contributions to Elkins and surrounding areas.
Sue Pifer, owner of The Sewing Center in downtown Elkins, received the inaugural Heritage Award while Matt Kwasniewski, president of Big Timber Brewing Company, took home the Horizon Award. Both awards were given by Elkins Main Street during a reception Thursday evening at the newly remodeled lobby of the 206 Apartments in Elkins.
"Sue and Matt were the obvious choices. Actually, the name of the event came up and they were such a perfect fit for the heritage and the horizons, there was nowhere else to go with it," Carper said. "We have to find two more perfect winners for next year. These were dead-on winners. There was no competition, no other consideration. They were absolutely the first and the most appropriate for the inaugural event."
Carper said Pifer and Kwasniewski have made impacts on Elkins that can not be matched.
"I have known Sue forever. Ever since I came to Elkins. I went to (Davis & Elkins College) in the 70s so she came in the 80s and had her business downtown and has been active in the community for so long and done so much, I don't know what to say about her. She is just amazing!" Carper said.
Carper also noted that Kwasniewski was a young citizen making a difference in the community.
"I am so proud of him, the things he has done already and the way he has put Elkins on the map," Carper said. "I look for him to do great things with his up-and-coming business."
Kwasniewski said he was honored to received the distinction and thanked all his partners and employees for his success.
"I thank Main Street for having us, recognizing us and helping us grow and succeed in this town," Kwasniewski said. "This is a great opportunity and I hope we gave back as much as you give us."
Pifer was unable to attend the event as she was out of town celebrating the graduation of her granddaughter. Kathryn Prentice accepted the award on Pifer's behalf.
"Because of the team approach of my staff at Elkins Sewing Center, it is possible for me to personally give back to Elkins by service with Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce and various activities," Prentice read from Pifer's prepared statement. "We share our windows to showcase the work of various groups, and provide a drop off/pick-up space for some who need a convenient central location."
Pifer moved to Elkins in 1978 with her husband, Jim, who worked for the US Forest Service -Monongahela National Forest. He passed away in April 2012.
She worked for a social services non-profit in the region, before opening the Elkins Sewing Center, which has been a hub in the community since 1982.
Her business continued to grow and has been as a regional leader in providing quality quilting and sewing products, premium fabrics, and state-of-the-art sewing equipment, including a variety of classes and personalized instruction for novice to advanced enthusiasts.
In addition to the importance of her business as a downtown anchor, Pifer continues to devote countless hours to local organization and causes.
Pifer is prominent in the community, serving on the board of directors for many organizations, including Elkins Main Street and the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce, as well as participating as a volunteer in a number of other community groups. She is also the assistant chair of the Elkins Main Street Promotion Committee and is involved in the Elkins Rotary Club.
Pifer has been vital in keeping the region's quilting heritage alive with her products and instructions. She was instrumental in developing Elkins Main Street's "Heritage Quilt Trail" to add a visitor activity and to educate the public on quilt heritages specific to our region.
Through her business, Pifer and her Elkins Sewing Center colleagues have donated materials and countless hours to produce more than 100 dresses for children in Africa through their association with the Healthcare Volunteer Uganda program.
She has one daughter, one son and two grandchildren, including a granddaughter, Jessica, who is graduating from high school in Philadelphia this week.
Kwasniewski serves as president and head brewer of Big Timber Brewing Company.
He is an Elkins native and graduated from West Virginia University in 2008 before meeting his future wife, Ashley, and finding his passion of brewing craft beer. Kwasniewski developed his skills under a Montana master brewer and returned home to Elkins in 2011.
Utilizing help and enthusiasm from his wife Ashley, sister Amber, and long-time friend Sam Mauzy, Kwasniewski formed Big Timber Brewing -- named to honor his family's heritage and the local region.
Kwasniewski built their brewery and taproom on South Davis Avenue and sold their first beer in 2014. They have since grown to be the largest craft brewer by volume in the state of West Virginia.
In 2017, the brewery bolstered its commitment to Elkins by beginning the construction of a new brewing and packaging facility on Davis Avenue, along the riverfront in the old Elkins Steam Laundry/West Virginia Division of Highways building.
Also during the event, Woodlands Development Group officials said remodeling measures are ongoing, and Elkins Main Street officials announced Madalyn Humphries as the new Elkins Main Street executive director.