By Mary Owen
Panezanellie Breadstick Shoppe captures top honors as the 2016 Small Business award winner for this year’s Stayton-Sublimity Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Award of Excellence.
The Cates family has built the Sublimity eatery into “the meeting place for locals and out-of-towners,” making “everyone feel a part of the family,” nominators said.
Family run, Panezanellie has kept busy since it opened in 2008, known for its stuffed breadsticks, pizza, homemade soup, specialty salads, sticky buns, scones and more.
“We feel very honored,” said Kristen Cates, speaking for the Cates family about the recognition. “We’re excited. Sublimity means a lot to us. We’re very blessed.”
Carmélle Bielenberg, interim CEO of SSCOC, said Panezanellie embodies the two-fold idea behind the award of excellence, by providing both an excellent – and delicious – product and superior customer service.
‘The Cates go above and beyond to make their customers feel valued, treating people like family,” Bielenberg said.
Bielenberg said the eatery has garnered a reputation that spreads far and wide, bringing visitors from all over Western Oregon and beyond.
“They share with visitors about local points of interest, thereby advancing local tourism in our area,” she said.
Marcey’s Place owner Larry Etzel nominated the Cates for the award, sharing they are the “most caring and loving family you could every want to meet,” and their business is a direct reflection of the family.
“Of course, they have fabulous food and their tiny eatery provides an unbelievable cozy atmosphere, but what keeps people coming back and coming back with their friends, who come back later with their friends is the genuine warmth, the sincere smiles, and the sense of welcome that greets you every time you enter,” Etzel shared. “When you are at Panezanellie, you are a part of the Cates family.”
The Cates share the rewards of their business as active members of St. Boniface Catholic Church and throughout the community, Etzel said, adding the eatery is where the locals go, a sign that it is one of the best dining experiences in the area.
“We are so blessed to have them in our little village of Sublimity,” he said.
