Chamber names Mercer Island Business of the Year

2019 award goes to Covenant Living at the Shores.

By Natalie DeFord • January 15, 2020 1:30 am
The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce presents the 2019 Business of the Year Award to Covenant Living at the Shores (CLS). From left: CLS’s Bob Bowen, Chamber of Commerce Board President Suzanne Skone, CLS Associate Executive Director Marykay Duran, CLS’s Leslie McGee, CLS Sales Director Nancy Woo, and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laurie Givan. Courtesy photo.
The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce presents the 2019 Business of the Year Award to Covenant Living at the Shores (CLS). From left: CLS’s Bob Bowen, Chamber of Commerce Board President Suzanne Skone, CLS Associate Executive Director Marykay Duran, CLS’s Leslie McGee, CLS Sales Director Nancy Woo, and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laurie Givan. Courtesy photo.

At its first luncheon of 2020 on Jan. 9, the Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce named its 2019 Business of the Year.

The award went to Covenant Living at the Shores (CLS), Mercer Island location of senior housing nonprofit Covenant Living Communities & Services, and was presented at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

Bob Howell, CLS executive director, said the company was thankful to receive the award.

“As one of the largest employers on Mercer Island, it is a special honor to receive the 2019 Business of the Year Award,” he said. “With 352 residents and their families — most come from the island — and 187 employees — most drive on the island daily — we are proud to be part of our growing community.”

Howell said the business’s new name, having rebranded from Covenant Retirement Communities in 2019, and their new “Live with Promise” tag line reflects their desire to be, “a community asset as well as a vibrant participant.”

“Thank you for this award and for all that the Chamber of Commerce does to make Mercer Island a great place to live and work,” he said.

Marykay Duran, CLS associate executive director, echoed Howell’s enthusiasm.

“We’re just all really excited and humbled to accept the award,” she said.

Laurie Givan, chamber executive director, said the chamber was happy to recognize CLS, which was established in 1978.

“The Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce is honored to present the 2019 Business of the Year award to Covenant Living at the Shores and their residents. They have been an economic driver in our community for over 40 years,” she said. “We are proud to name them on this distinguished list of recipients.”

She said CLS has made a significant impact on Mercer Island’s economic vitality and has brought value and benefit to the community for many years.

She explained that both CLS management and residents are involved with volunteering for local organizations and events. Some of the ways they have participated include with the Mercer Island Farmers Market, Mercer Island Rotary Club, Senior Foundation of Mercer Island, Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Foundation, Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department, Mercer Island Women’s Club, Mercer Island Solemates, Mercer Island Probus Club, and the Mercer Island Thrift Shop. She said residents give monetary donations to local charities and first responders and also help out at local preschools, food drives and soup kitchens of churches.

“A tenant of Covenant Living at the Shores is to help their residents continue to live fulfilling lives. With all they touch in our community, they are embodying this goal,” Givan said. “Their economic impact on Mercer Island extends beyond their walls and into the many organizations in which they are involved and to which they donate time and funds. For all of this we are honored to call Covenant Living at the Shores and their residents the 2019 Mercer Island Business of the Year.”

The chamber also gave a Honorary Business Award for 2019 during the luncheon to the Mercer Island Service Station, which recently closed after more than 40 years of business.