Benjamin Ng, the owner and operator of PayMore West Hempstead, and Stephanie Fitzpatrick, the owner and founder of the Rare Treats Baking Company in Malverne, were two of the honorees at the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce’s 40th Annual Businessperson of the Year Awards and Legislative Breakfast at Crest Hollow Country Club on Oct. 31.
The Nassau Council’s executive board monitors the concerns of the county business community and advocates for legislation that benefits local businesses. At its annual breakfast, chambers honor members who have “demonstrated outstanding dedication to their communities and organizations,” NCCC President Franklin Camarano Jr. said. “We are proud to recognize their accomplishments,” Camarano added, “and grateful for the time and energy they devote to making their communities better places to live and do business.”
“The chamber’s responsibility to the community is to help the business owners to develop and grow,” West Hempstead chamber President Linda Anderson said. “Whether that be education or resources, it’s our role to help. When they become better business owners, then the businesses in the community become stronger, and money stays in the community. So it’s important for us to build the businesses.”
Ng was named West Hempstead’s Businessperson of the Year. His PayMore, on Hempstead Turnpike, is part of a chain that buys, sells, trades and recycles used electronics in neighborhood stores. He has helped the community recycle more than 2,000 devices in just over a year. With over 15 years in the retail industry, Ng’s leadership has driven the company’s growth and expansion.
He discovered PayMore when he and a friend were discussing franchise business opportunities on Facebook, and the conversation persuaded him to become a franchisee. Looking ahead, Ng’s vision for PayMore West Hempstead includes expanding its reach into other locations on Long Island and Queens, and continuing to lead the way in repurposing used electronics for better use.
“I have not only witnessed his commitment to his store, but to the community at large,” Anderson said. “He is involved. He’s excited to be a part of the chamber. He has a willingness to better the West Hempstead community.”
Fitzpatrick was the Malverne chamber’s choice for Businessperson of the year. Her Rare Treats Baking Company, is a home-based, dairy-free and nut-free bakery. She launched the business after her son Logan was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis, a chronic inflammation of the esophagus.
“When he was diagnosed back in 2019, we were told he couldn’t have foods with certain nuts and foods that contained dairy products,” Fitzpatrick explained. “So I started to create treats for him that we could bring to birthday parties, holidays and other events so I knew they were safe for him to eat.”
Fitzpatrick, who has always enjoyed baking, created baked goods that mimicked widely available treats so her son wouldn’t feel left out or restricted by his dietary needs. Family members and friends enjoyed them as well, and would ask Fitzpatrick to bring enough for everyone at a party to enjoy.
“More and more people were asking for items, (so) I was able to turn it into an official business,” she said. Fitzpatrick received a home processing registration from the state that allows her to sell her goods as retail in agricultural farm venues, and in 2023 she established Rare Treats.
Everything she sells is dairy- and nut-free, and she also makes gluten-friendly and egg-free items, and can accommodate other dietary restrictions upon request. “The number of food allergies and restrictions for kids is just so high,” Fitzpatrick said. “For me to be able to support people locally who have those restrictions is just really important to me.”
Rare Treats products can be found at Kookaburra Coffee Company and in the farm store at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann’s. Several other local businesses, including Collective Beauty Skincare Studio and Believer Hands Nail & Spa, offer Fitzpatrick’s baked goods as part of their packages.
“We couldn’t be prouder to see one of Malverne’s own recognized for her hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to our community,” Malverne Chamber President Elizabeth Krull wrote to the Herald.
Fitzpatrick is currently preparing to launch a consulting arm of Rare Treats to help food establishments strengthen their allergy protocols and create safer, more welcoming dining experiences. For more about her consulting or baking, visit www.raretreatsbaking.com or email raretreatsbaking@gmail.com.
