We are so inspired by the businesses in our community because of how many of them are committed to helping to make the world better than it is today. Check out some great businesses below and how they are helping others.

Heidi Shabarek | BlossombyHeidi-Middle Eastern Sweets & Treats

When I moved to North Carolina is 2017, I found it very odd that with the substantial amount of Arabs in the community, not one person decided to open up a legitimate dessert shop. It was always little basic knick knacks here and there in some of the Middle Eastern supermarkets, however no real desserts were made fresh daily and with authenticity. This greatly affected me as I’m a sucker for sweets; it’s my sweetest addiction! I don’t drink coffee, I don’t smoke, so I always resort to some type of sweet for my daily pick me up. Realizing that most of my sweet cravings weren’t going to be met in North Carolina, I decided to resort to one of my favorite hobbies, baking! Read more>>

Mary Trice | wife, mother, author, and philanthropist

The Mary Trice Foster Care Foundation Inc helps my community by supporting the foster care system so that children in the Raleigh /Durham NC area can continue to get the aid and guidance they need. The foundation improves the quality of life for many young children who need nurturing. Read more>>

Andrew LeClair | Owner & Operator

Paradiso is situated in a really cool building right over The Pasquotank River and offers one of the most unique dining experiences in Elizabeth City. Other than The Marina Restaurant, which operated in the building that is now Paradiso, the location was unable to sustain successful restaurants despite its natural charm for the decade preceding our occupation. A lot of challenges come with owning and operating a building that is stilted on the water’s edge. Apart from our location, Paradiso has a lot to offer to the food scene.
I work closely with my creative and talented team of chefs, line cooks, and bartenders to design a new, seasonally- and regionally-driven menu every few months. Read more>>