State Honors AAA Imaging as Top Small Business

Lemon Grove's own AAA Imaging has been honored as the Small Business of the Year in Sen. Joel Anderson's 36th Senate District.

The shop is owned by Jim Butcher and Pete Celestino, who have done business in Lemon Grove for 21 years. The partners own a building where they operate the printing business, while also renting out apartments above the storefront.  

“We are honored to be chosen by Sen. Anderson for this award and recognition. We believe that we represent all of those small business owners in our region that go to work each day to make a living for their families,” Butcher said in a news release by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

AA Imaging also is involved in the community, according to Anderson, supporting  Friends of the Library, Little League, the Miss Lemon Grove Pageant, and other other youth activities. 

The shop beat out 20 other nominees in Anderson's district, including businesses in Alpine, Ramona, Lakeside, Fallbrook and Santee.

At California's Small Business Day on June 10, the state saluted AAA among a total of 75 small businesses. 

State officials estimate that small businesses account for almost 90 percent of new job creation in California and 75 percent of the state's gross product.