Flooks Named Pleasantville Businessperson of the Year

Members of Pleasantville's have selected William Flooks, owner of , as the 2011 Businessperson of the Year.

"I purchased Beecher in 2004 and have been here for eight happy years," said Flooks, who also serves as the chamber's president.

The Bedford Road business has been around since 1928, when it was established by Sam Beecher.

Flooks, a second generation funeral director who has been licensed in the practice for 32 years, is just the third owner of the funeral home.

He said being in a business that's "so personalized" demands he become ingrained in the Pleasantville community.

"It's a small village and it's important people know who you are," Flooks explained. "I deal with people at a time when they are very, very upset, so when people know you, they feel a little more comfortable."

Though a resident of White Plains, Flooks' involvement with the chamber and the Pleasantville Lions Club have made him a familiar face in the walking village.

"When I first came to Pleasantville, no one knew who I was," he reflected. "The Chamber of Commerce really opened up a lot of doors for me in order to meet other people—businesspeople and other people in the village."

Flooks said he has enjoyed working in the "quiet village," and has found residents are "very friendly and wonderful people."

As president of the chamber, he hopes to continue to see business owners take advantage of the community atmosphere the village offers and is optimistic about the economic future.

"We talk a lot about the future of Pleasantville at meetings," he said, noting "cleaning up the Marble Avenue" corridor, including 's pending move to the street and the , will improve one of the entryways to the village.

He also pointed out the village has been seeing a steady drop in the number of commercial vacancies. 

"The village develops one section of the time," Flooks added. "Any other business that comes in—we are more than happy to welcome them to the village."

The Chamber of Commerce will be honoring Flooks during a networking event on Tuesday, April 17 at . Admission to the event is $55 for chamber members and $65 for non-members and includes food, wine, beer and other drinks. RSVP online here.