A Toast to East Dallas: Reviewing the GEDCC Business of the Year Awards 2025

By: Jon Roussel November 25, 2025

The red carpet was literally and figuratively rolled out on Tuesday, November 18, as the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce (GEDCC) hosted its annual Business of the Year Awards. This year’s celebration felt particularly special, moving to the elegant new venue of Waters Edge Winery & Bistro in Lake Highlands, making the night a true community affair.

The event, which annually recognizes the outstanding achievements of East Dallas’s local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community champions, was a vibrant mix of networking, gourmet food, and well-deserved recognition.

The Perfect Pairing: Waters Edge Winery & Bistro

The Waters Edge Winery & Bistro proved to be the quintessential host. Having just opened its doors earlier in the year, the atmosphere—a blend of rustic elegance and modern sophistication—provided the perfect backdrop for the semi-formal crowd. Guests were treated to the winery’s locally vinted selections, a remarkable detail considering their status as the first business to commercially vend wine in Lake Highlands. Their full-service bistro menu, featuring their expertly curated small plates, kept the celebratory energy flowing throughout the evening.

It was fitting that the host venue itself was among the night’s honorees. Owners Kate, Chris, and Henry Vahdani were recognized for their innovative approach, taking home the R.S. Munger Business Pioneer Award. This award celebrates entrepreneurial achievements and noted individual successes, perfectly capturing the spirit of a new business creating an entirely new niche within the community.

The Night’s Big Triumphs

The GEDCC awards ceremony is always a showcase of the incredible diversity and dedication within East Dallas commerce, and this year was no exception. While every nominee deserved applause, a few major awards shone brightest:

• Business of the Year: The coveted title of Business of the Year—recognizing the outstanding East Dallas business that demonstrated excellence in growth, community involvement, and best practices—went to Summerhill Pools. This win highlights the unwavering stability and dedication to customer service that defines the East Dallas business landscape.
• Entrepreneur of the Year: This award honors the individuals who took risks and drove success. The nominees, including impressive operations like It’s A Good Sign and the beloved Well Grounded Coffee Community, demonstrated that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, fueling growth across various sectors. It was notable that It’s A Good Sign was selected for this award. 
• The East Dallas Legacy Award: This award is always one of the most poignant, honoring an organization or individual whose long-term commitment has left a lasting mark on East Dallas. The recipient’s service is a crucial reminder of the importance of community stewardship. Chuck Koddish, BackMenders Chiropractic With Care was selected this year.  Chuck has been a member of the Greater East Dallas Chamber Of Commerce and the organizer of East Dallas networking for over fifteen years.  He has also been the President of the Greater East Dallas Chamber Of Commerce for the past two years.
• The Live Local Award: Designed to recognize small business owners who are genuine community leaders and actively give back, this category featured powerhouse nominees like East Dallas Vintage and El Vecino Tex-Mex Restaurant. These businesses are the cultural and social hubs that make our neighborhoods truly unique. East Dallas Vintage was selected this year for this award.

A special shout out goes to April Barnes for serving as the event photographer.  Check here out at:

https://www.aprilbarnesphotography.com/

The evening was a powerful reminder that East Dallas is a region built on relationships, quality, and a deep commitment to local success. The awards night wasn’t just about handing out plaques; it was about reaffirming the value of local engagement and celebrating the businesses that make this corner of Dallas thrive.

Congratulations once again to Waters Edge Winery & Bistro and all the well-deserving winners and nominees of the 2025 GEDCC Business of the Year Awards! I cannot wait to see what East Dallas and the Greater East Dallas Chamber Of Commerce accomplish next.