La Tienda Honored for Contributions

James City- Spanish foods retailer La Tienda was awarded the Captain John Smith Award at the county's 17th annual Celebration of Business.

The honor is awarded by the economic development team to a business, organization or individual for exemplary contributions.

In presenting La Tienda the award, supervisor chairman Jim Kennedy noted the company has been a member of the county's business community since 1996.

"The company began operating out of its current distribution facility and showroom in Stonehouse Commerce Park in 2004, and in late 2009 added a retail location on Jamestown Road," Kennedy explained in a statement.

Tim Harris and Jonathan Harris, La Tienda's co-CEOs, accepted the award. Tim Harris thanked several members of the county's Economic Development team, including EDA chair Tom Tingle, whose offices housed La Tienda's early ventures, and EDA member Marshall Warner, who loaned the small business money through Chesapeake Bank.

"We will be in James City County for a long time," Tim Harris said.

La Tienda employs around 30 peoples and distributes more than 700 products from Spain in addition to the distribution of specialty peppers that are grown in James City County.

La Tienda aids the Rita Welsh Adult Learning Center, Virginia Food Bank, Meals on Wheels and other educational or food-related charities.

The company recently won the 2010 Outstanding Workplace Education Partnership Award from the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education.

Economic Development director Keith Taylor, who is retiring later this year, was also recognized for 21 years of employment.

The Celebration of Business is an appreciation event for major industrial, technical and business service companies in James City County.