NEW YORK STATE BUSINESS AWARDS - Westfair Communications

Senator Mayer, center, center, with Mike Nazzaro and Ali Nazzaro, owners of Laughing Horse Coffee and Tea Co.

New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer awarded four local businesses with the New York State Empire Award, which showcases small businesses and nonprofit organizations making a positive impact on their communities.

Mayer said, “I am proud that Westchester is home to so many businesses and organizations that are steadfast in their dedication to their communities. Each business or organization that I have had the pleasure of honoring has helped bring our community closer in extraordinary ways. They offer diverse services, but they share a spirit of unity and positivity that can be felt throughout the municipalities that make up our district. I am grateful to each one for their generosity and commitment to their community.”

They include The Blue Heart Forever Project (BHFP), a support system for Latino families of children with autism in the village of Port Chester; Laughing Horse Coffee & Tea Co., a coffee shop in Harrison, New York where people of all ages can gather and feel a sense of community; The Kitchen Table, a farm-to-table restaurant in Pound Ridge that has become a centerpiece in the community; and Prana Prenatal Yoga, which offers support, guidance and a sense of community for women going through pregnancy, childbirth and new motherhood.