Photos Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce.
Best of Heritage Valley Community Choice Winners Also Announced at Chamber’s Awards Celebration
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce gathered with the community Thursday evening at the Palazzio Event Center to honor the recipients of its 64th Annual “Best of Santa Paula” Awards — celebrating the individuals, businesses, and organizations whose commitment to excellence, service, and community vitality defines what makes Santa Paula exceptional.
This year’s celebration was the Chamber’s most inclusive awards event to date, with the evening also featuring the announcement of the 2026 Best of Heritage Valley winners — chosen through community-wide public voting and recognizing outstanding businesses and community contributors across the broader Heritage Valley region, which includes Fillmore and Piru. A full list of Best of Heritage Valley winners is available at www.santapaulachamber.com/best-of-hv-winners
2026 BEST OF SANTA PAULA AWARD RECIPIENTS
Business Beautification Award — Parque 1055
Bob Dawson spent twenty years transforming the historic 1929 building at 1055 East Main Street into Parque 1055 — a California cuisine restaurant and event venue whose stunning courtyard patio and warmly elegant dining room have brought new life to downtown Santa Paula.
Community Service Award — Ellen Brokaw
A Ventura County resident for over 70 years, Ellen Brokaw co-founded Brokaw Nursery — now one of California’s largest subtropical tree nurseries — and has spent decades championing farm worker housing, agricultural advocacy, and community service across the Heritage Valley.
Non-Profit of the Year — Ventura County Community Foundation
Since 1987, the Ventura County Community Foundation has grown into a movement of more than 24,000 donors, granting over $150 million to nonprofits across the region — including organizations right here in Santa Paula — while championing early childhood education, census equity, and humanitarian relief.
Small Business of the Year — Robert Rey Garcia Funeral Home
A United States Marine and third-generation funeral professional, Robert Rey Garcia Jr. has served Santa Paula families with dignity and compassion since opening his doors in 2008 — carrying forward nearly five decades of the Garcia family’s trusted, community-rooted care.
Large Business of the Year — Limoneira Company
Founded in Santa Paula in 1893, Limoneira has spent 133 years shaping California agriculture and this community — from helping establish Sunkist Growers to donating the land for the Harvest development and providing sustainable workforce housing for hundreds of local families.
Citizen of the Year — María Antonieta Jiménez
For more than two decades, María Antonieta Jiménez has channeled her own experiences of hardship and discrimination into purpose — founding Poder Popular and dedicating 22 years to educating, organizing, and empowering the Santa Paula community she chose to call home.
Sam Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award — Mary Ann Krause
With 30 years in local government and 35 years as a Santa Paula resident, Mary Ann Krause has spent a lifetime building a more just and livable community — as City Council member, Mayor, affordable housing champion, and co-founder of Santa Clara Valley Together.
The 64th Annual Best of Santa Paula Awards were presented at the Palazzio Event Center in Santa Paula. Event photos are attached. For a complete list of 2026 Best of Heritage Valley community choice winners, which incorporates businesses from Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru, visit: www.santapaulachamber.com/best-of-hv-winners
About the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce
The Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce has served as the voice of business in Santa Paula for over 60 years, supporting local economic development, advocating for the business community, and fostering connections that help businesses and the community thrive.
For more information or to schedule an interview with award recipients, contact Chloe Rahimzadeh Lurie at info@santapaulachamber.com or visit www.santapaulachamber.com
