Sixth in a series on winners of the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau and Hailey Chamber of Commerce Community Awards.
The top deck of the Roosevelt Tavern is a summer favorite in Ketchum. There are few spots in the Wood River Valley that can match its combination of beautiful views, warm weather and good food and drink.
Likewise, there are few businesses that have made a similar commitment to helping others.
Whether donating food, time, space or money, the owner of the Roosevelt, Tom Nickel, and his employees have taken their good service to customers and extended it to the entire community.
This effort has earned the Roosevelt Business of the Year honors from the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau and the Hailey Chamber of Commerce.
"The Roosevelt was selected as the Business of the Year because of its work with numerous charities, including the donation of food and the use of its back room for non-profit organizations," said Nichole Britt, the Sun Valley-Ketchum chamber's office manager.
In addition to providing help to 52 community events in 2007, the Roosevelt, for the fourth year running, held its 'Tis the Season charitable giving drive. Created by Nickel, the fundraiser takes place during the three weeks leading up to Christmas and donates 15 percent of the cost of each meal to one of three charities.
Last winter, diners could choose between Camp Rainbow Gold, Sun Valley Adaptive Sports' wounded veterans program and the YMCA scholarship fund.
Another significant contribution is a lunch hosted during the Environmental Resource Center's annual Clean Sweep, in which the restaurant feeds the 80 or so volunteers.
"They're out picking up trash for three or four hours, so we're really doing the lesser part," Nickel said. "It's all these non-profit groups we have that are really doing the heavy lifting."
Despite being the owner of the Business of the Year, Nickel is quick to downplay his role and emphasize the sizable commitment made by his staff.
"They are automatically volunteered when we hold this lunch so they participate way more than I do," Nickel said with a smile.
Nickel, who won the chamber's Citizen of the Year award in 2004 and also owns the Sawtooth Club, said the Roosevelt's charitable example is a product of the Wood River Valley itself.
"Overall, we feel that this is a great community and we're fortunate to make a living here," Nickel said. "It's sort of incumbent when you have good fortune to try and give it back, even if it's in a small way."
Roosevelt Tavern owner Tom Nickel and his employees have taken their good service to customers and extended it to the entire community.
Photo by David N. Seelig
