Mystic Chamber Of Commerce Announces 2020 Tourism Award Winners

Press release from Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce:

December 23, 2020

Mystic, Conn. (December 23, 2020) – Dr. Stephen M. Coan, president and C.E.O. of the Mystic Aquarium, and Stefan Ambrosch, owner of Deviant Donuts and Mango’s Wood-Fired Pizza Co. in Olde Mistick Village, were today announced to be the 2020 awardees of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce’s Joyce Olson Resnikoff Award for Tourism. This award has recognizes Mystic tourism businesses who embody the values of community, growth and opportunity creation.

“I think this award is a great opportunity to honor people who have done a great deal in our community and industry,” said Joyce Resnikoff, creator of Olde Mistick Village. “This year we are recognizing two extraordinary people with the award. Stephen Coan and Stefan Ambrosch both set an example of the power tourism has to attract people and encourage business.”

The Joyce Olson Resnikoff tourism award was created to recognize business owners and people who support, grow and nurture southeastern Connecticut’s tourism economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Olde Mistick Village and Mystic Aquarium have worked to support local businesses and create new opportunities for families and the Mystic Community.

“Southeastern Connecticut tourism has been through difficult times in the past, but no one could have prepared for the blindside brought on by COVID-19. Both of the award winners have shown true leadership and ingenuity in navigating through this,” said Bruce Flax, chairman of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce board of directors. “Stephen Coan recognized the Aquarium’s situation was unsustainable and a financial restructuring was necessary to survive the pandemic, and he worked with the state to stabilize the finances and keep its doors open. Stefan Ambrosch adjusted his business and created a demand for Deviant Donuts and an appetite for Mango's Pizza that maintains Mystic as a tourist and foodie destination, even through the pandemic.”

About Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce serves as the business voice for Groton, Stonington and Mystic. They sponsor and facilitate community events, promotion for local business and for the regional tourism industry, resources for small business owners, opportunities to get involved with the community, and advocacy in the government of our towns.

This press release was produced by Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author's own.