Scores of local business owners and their employees filled the ballroom Thursday at the Austin Holiday Inn to witness Bissen TV & Appliance crowned as the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year.

Clad in a red short-sleeved shirt, which carried with the banquet's tropical theme, Dan Bissen thanked fellow employees and family members after accepting the award, while the song "Simply the best" played in the background.

"It's an honor to be in the company with those 14 other businesses," that were nominated for awards, Bissen said. "It's my opinion that you always want to give the customer what he or she wants."

To that end, Bissen recalled a customer who wanted a rather large television with a black and white picture. Bissen explained that he only sold televisions of that size in color.

The customer stood firm; he wanted a black and white TV. So, Bissen went over to a large color TV -- the size the man wanted -- and turned the knob to shut off the color.

The customer then quipped, "When can you deliver it?"

Bissen also thanked his parents for instilling in him the vision to keep running the business.

"I know my dad would be very proud to see where we've gone and where we can go," he said.

Triple J Disposal, owned by Jason Hoerter, was chosen as the Chamber's New Business of the Year and Cooperative Response Center won the Project of the Year contest. Jan O'Connor won the Chamber's Ambassador of the Year award.

Other businesses that were up for awards included Candy Bouquet, Black Bart's/Nemitz's, Bone Appetit, Precision Signs, Sterling State Bank, Ramsey Golf Club, Steve's Pizza, Sterling Drug/Main Street, Center Financial, Sportts, Holiday Inn and Hy-Vee.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at :mailto:dan.fields@austindailyherald.com