The Cottage Café, Bakery & Tea Room in Bluffton Named a Top Small Business by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Chamber’s “America’s Top Small Business Awards” celebrate small business innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement

Bluffton, South Carolina, September 21, 2023 —  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced The Cottage Café, Bakery & Tea Room of Bluffton, SC is one of America’s top 70 small businesses, selected amid an extraordinary year that saw a record-breaking 15,000+ applicants for its annual “America’s Top Small Business” Awards.  

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce selected America’s top 70 small businesses from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. They were evaluated on their business growth, ability to overcome challenges, smart strategies for success, and community engagement. Seven of the top small businesses will go on to be named finalists.

The top 70 small businesses receive a one-year paid membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and will be prominently featured on the CO— website, a platform that provides practical information and tips to 20,000 business owners daily and over 6 million individuals annually, spanning the United States and the globe. The winner of the coveted title of “America’s Top Small Business” will receive a $25,000 cash prize. 

“Since founding The Cottage in 2009, we have been committed to providing a true Southern dining experience to both locals and visitors to our area, as well as played an important role in contributing to local job creation and giving back to the community,” said Leslie Rohland, owner of The Cottage Café, Bakery & Team Room, who also owns a number of other small businesses in Bluffton, including the Juice Hive and Health Emporium, the Village Pasta Shoppe and May River Coffee Roasters.  “We are thrilled to have been selected by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as one of America’s Top Small Businesses, and to be among just 10 small businesses in the Southeastern Region to have been chosen for this honor, and look forward to the continuing vital role that small businesses such as ours will continue to play in both the local and national business communities.”

On October 19, the top 70 small businesses and seven finalists will be recognized and celebrated at the America’s Top Small Business Summit: Ready, Set, Scale at the Chamber’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony following the summit.  

Summit attendees will gain invaluable insights from the tactical success secrets shared by America’s Top Small Business finalists and will enjoy exclusive access to executives from industry giants such as Google, Walmart and Meta that ardently champion and promote small businesses. 

Learn more about this year’s top 70 small businesses here.  For more information about the Cottage Café, Bakery and Tea Room, visit https://thecottagebluffton.com/.

Register for the America’s Top Small Business Summit: Ready, Set, Scale here. 

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