ELMHURST CHAMBER HONORS YORK THEATRE
AS A.J. “TOCHE” TERRONES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
ELMHURST, Ill., January 27, 2006 – York Theatre (150 North York Street) was named the A.J. “Toche” Terrones Business of the Year for 2005 at the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 87th Annual Meeting/Silent Auction held at the Waterford Banquet Room at the Quality Inn last Wednesday (January 25).
Willis Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Downers Grove-based Tivoli Enterprises, which owns and operates the York Theatre in downtown Elmhurst and 11 other Classic Cinemas movie theatres, accepted the award on behalf of his family.
Tivoli Enterprise is a family business that includes Johnson’s wife, Shirley, who handles advertising, and son, Chris, Vice President in charge of day-to-day operations.
Johnson, who partnered with his brother in 1961 to open a printing business in Downers Grove, bought the Tivoli Building in 1976 and then took operation over the 1928-built Tivoli Theatre in 1978.
Since its 1982 purchase by the Johnson family, the York Theatre has undergone numerous renovations to restore the original 1924 Spanish dйcor and to expand the number of screens to nine, while reestablishing it as a first-run movie house.
Beside his resurrection of the York Theatre building, which he bought in 1984, Johnson has invested in the redevelopment of Elmhurst’s Central Business District (CBD) as both a property owner and landlord.
Johnson was a Founder of the Elmhurst City Centre, a collective of property owners and businesses that markets and manages downtown Elmhurst, and was a Past President and 10-year member of the not-for-profit organization’s Board of Directors.
Johnson also served on the Board of Directors of the former Elmhurst Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), a public-private partnership that for 10 years worked to attract, retain and grow business across the city.
During the Opening Ceremonies at Elmfest 2002, Johnson became the 11th inductee into the Chamber’s Civic Hall of Fame.
The award presentation was made by Tom Cathcart, Outgoing Chairman of the Board, and Chamber President John Quigley.
Joining in the award presentation was Greg Jiede, President, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Synergistic Networks, Inc. (180 West Park Avenue, Suite 210), the 2004 Business of the Year recipient. Jiede was given an acrylic Business of the Year plaque to put on permanent display at SynNet.
The award, which features a traveling trophy and permanent plaque, is given to the member business that has best served the Elmhurst Chamber and the community.
It is named in memory of Toche Terrones, who served as Chamber President (formerly Executive Director) for nearly a decade until his death in July of 1999.
Previous Business of the Year honorees are Silverado Grill (2003), Great American Exteriors (2002), Cardinal Cartridge, Inc. (2001), Unique Travel Service, Ltd. (2000) and Community Bank of Elmhurst (1999).
The traveling trophy of imported 24% German lead crystal atop a mahogany wood base will be displayed at the York Theatre until the 88th Annual Meeting, while an award plaque with a nameplate listing the York Theatre is on permanent display at the Chamber office.
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Chamber also serves the needs of its members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.
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