More than 100 audience members showed their support for local businesses at “Once Upon a Time … Seaside Annual Awards and Auction, with food, drinks, awards, silent auction and raffles, as the chamber’s big night returned live last Thursday after a year’s hiatus to the Best Western Plus Oceanfront Resort in Seaside.

“I’m just excited about the turnout,” Owen said at the evening’s start. “This has been a wonderful experience.”

While the room was filled to less than capacity because of social distancing, the show sold out in three days, he said. “People really want to come and celebrate Seaside. I’m really excited to see the energy that our community continues to have.”

Notables in the room included Mayor Jay Barber, city councilors Steve Wright and Tita Montero, Seaside Civic and Convention Center general manager Russ Vandenberg, Seaside Fire Chief Joey Daniels and City Manager Mark Winstanley. The chamber represents local businesses and presents the Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament, the Hood to Coast Relay, Fourth of July fireworks, the Parade of Lights and Pouring at the Coast, among an array of events.

Rachelle Minoza and sales manager Jennifer Blecha accepted retailer of the year for their Broadway business, C&R Mercantile.

“I do want to thank the Seaside community,” Minoza said.

“You guys have embraced us tremendously. We’ve strived to bring very different products into Seaside that didn’t compete with other businesses but enhance the in spirit experienced at Seaside. And we continue to bring people back again and again. And we’re just super excited to be part of this community. So thank you for the recognition.”

The community impact award, delivered to the Seaside Coffee House, recognizes the business that has made a positive impact on Seaside above and beyond for the great benefit of the community.

Instead of a single volunteer of the year, voters chose the Seaside Fire Department overall.

Jason Schermerhorn, a volunteer, spoke on behalf of the firefighters in accepting the award.

“We’re honored to do it,” Schermerhorn said. “We really appreciate all your guys’ support and we really enjoy what we do.”

Justin and Vanessa Boone, who recently opened their second outlet, Burly and the Bean Coffee Roasters, were selected rising star/new business winners.

The legacy award, honoring members of the community and/or family who have been part of the chamber and business community for at least 10 years, was delivered to Marci Utti of Del’s Chevron. The family has operated Del’s for more than 54 years.

Business of the Year recognizes the business that has succeeded by going above and beyond with overall best business practice, exceptional customer service employee relations, superior marketing and social media community involvement.

In awarding the honor to Sadie and Andrew Mercer and partner Robin Montero of Maggie’s on the Prom, emcee Ken Heman of the Seaside Visitors bureau said, the owners “never stopped moving.”

“They’re always upgrading, improving and adding to their business,” Heman said. “In the past year they’ve bought new or brought new faces into the community. Their customer service is top of the line and they are the spot to go and Seaside for both locals and travelers from restaurants, hotels and catering.”

With many guests in costume to reflect the fairy tale theme of the evening, Shrek, the Cheshire Cat, the Princess Bride and others vied for best costume — an award delivered to hotel staff, bedecked as Captain Jack Sparrow of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and crew.

Perhaps the night’s most emotional moment came when Robin Knoll received the chamber’s Byron Award.

The award, named for legendary volunteer Seaside’s Byron Meek, is presented to a member of the community who has shown outstanding qualities in community service.

Knoll couldn’t hold back the tears as he accepted the award.

“It’s pretty clear, tonight is all about community,” Heman said. “That’s what we do here in Seaside. We support each other. We’re a community. We’re small enough yet big enough to be influential throughout the world.”