West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 21 Creative Business Award Nominees

The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will host the 41st Annual Creative Business Awards fundraiser celebrating innovations in business.    The Star-Studded Gala will take place at the 1 Hotel, on November 6th, 2025 beginning with its silent auction at 6pm.  

This years Lead Ringmaster is the Beverly Center.   H’wood group is being honored as the Legacy  Ringmaster’.  The H.wood Group owns several businesses in West Hollywood, including Deliah, Petite Taqueria, and the NICE GUY, as well as nightlife venues Bootsy Bellows, The Peppermint Club, Blind Dragon and Poppy.   They are also owners of Harriet’s and the Vietnamese concept Didi.   

Nominations were submitted by members and voted on by chamber members through a digital ballot. 

Voting closed October 14th @ 12am.   

The following are a list of the 2025 Creative Business Award Nominees and a summary of their business.  

CORPORATE INNOVATION NOMINEES:

• Meta Lab reimagines what a corporate presence can be by merging retail, R&D, and cultural programming under one roof, redefining experiential retail. In West Hollywood, the Lab isn’t simply a flagship storefront—it’s a living prototype of Meta’s innovative business model. Inside, visitors don’t just shop—they interact, demoing Meta’s AI glasses, customizing cases, and stepping into immersive installations that blend SoCal culture with cutting-edge design. 
• Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills unveils a new concept and décor where French refinement meets California lifestyle. Located near one of the world’s most prestigious avenues, every detail of the new lobby and bar was designed with comfort and style to leave a lasting impression and inspire guests. From sleek, modern accommodations with French zest to panoramic rooftop venues and stylish event spaces, Sofitel offers an unparalleled experience in creative luxury. 
• The Lot at Formosa is a historic studio campus and premier production and event destination in West Hollywood. Spanning 11 acres, the property features seven sound stages, flexible production and event spaces, private courtyards, and a rooftop terrace with sweeping views. The campus also offers a dedicated cyc wall ideal for photoshoots and video productions, along with on-site production support, catering services, base camp and ample parking. 

CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS NOMINEES:

• Lucky Break Public Relations (LBPR), founded in 2010, is a minority-owned, award-winning PR, marketing, and digital media firm representing clients across entertainment, hospitality, consumer products, design, wellness, and more. With deep ties to West Hollywood, LBPR has elevated initiatives such as the OUTLOUD Music Festival, WeHo Pride Parade, and the Sunset Strip BID. Known for innovative storytelling and impactful strategies, the agency was named PRSA’s 2024 “Agency of the Year.” WeHo Gives Back was a multi-faceted three-month campaign by Lucky Break PR and the Chamber designed to support local businesses impacted by the LA wildfires. 
• Marc Francoeur Design (MFD) delivers world-class branding and digital marketing solutions that empower businesses to shine. Since 1999, MFD has partnered with startups and established companies to create unforgettable visual identities, innovative websites, and high-impact campaigns. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, 
• WEHOonline and the WEHO PRIDE GUIDE   WEHOonline is an online news source that celebrates West Hollywood and the politics and people that make West Hollywood special.  The 2025 WEHO Pride Guide print edition introduced the many new faces of West Hollywood’s nightlife celebrating all of us as one community. 

CREATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE:

• When wildfires swept through California, families were left without homes—or even a bed to sleep on. Custom Comfort Mattress donated mattresses to help bring comfort and relief during such an overwhelming time. A warm, safe place to rest can make all the difference when everything else is uncertain. Custom Comfort Mattress is grateful they could offer even a small piece of peace to those who needed it most.
• Marco Pelusi is globally recognized as a leading haircolor authority, haircare manufacturer, West Hollywood salon owner, and celebrity haircolorist. Located in the heart of the West Hollywood Design District since 2005, Marco believes in relationships. He connects people together through teaching and mentoring hairdressers at beauty shows and his studio and as a long-time board member of the Design District. Marco and his team garnered national attention from a variety of national news outlets, including CNN after providing makeovers to the UCLA Nurses of the Year 2021.
• Trans Can Work is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing workplace inclusion by connecting transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex (TGI) job seekers with supportive employers. The organization also provides training, consulting, and resources to help employers and workforce partners build more inclusive, equitable workplaces. 

CREATIVE CONCEPT NOMINEES:

• Alba invites West Hollywood residents and visitors to take an Italian holiday without leaving SoCal. Born as the L.A. sibling to New York’s Cucina Alba, this restaurant channels the romance of coastal Italy in both design and flavor Under chef Adam Leonti, Alba’s menu—pastas, focaccia, crudi, coastal Italian fare—and its retractable striped roof, Mediterranean-inspired interiors, and artful murals create a transporting ambiance. 
• Pangea Catering delivers an imaginative fusion concept that transforms every event into a global culinary journey. With mastery across 14 distinct cuisines, they craft custom menus that surprise and delight—whether vegan, gluten-free, halal, or omnivore. Their founder’s vision—rooted in family, diversity, and the belief that food should unite, not divide—is reflected in every plated creation. 
• Unsubtle is an imaginative new food hall concept designed to wow and inspire West Hollywood. We’ve curated 10 standout kitchens, each featuring innovative restaurants, alongside a signature coffee bar, all woven together in a dynamic, communal space. With its indoor/outdoor flow, striking design, and multi-platform ordering technology allowing customers to mix-and-match from all 10 concepts, Unsubtle turns dining into an immersive, social experience. 

INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABILITY NOMINEES:

• Athens Services, a family-owned company since 1957, is driving Southern California’s green transformation. A leader in sustainability, innovation, and zero-waste solutions, Athens recently opened the Irwindale Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), which represents the company’s commitment to invest in advanced recycling infrastructure to expand sustainable operations across Southern California. This 17-acre site, which utilizes solar power, AI, and state-of-the-art sorting systems, processes up to 6,000 tons of material per day. From curbside to compost, Athens partners with cities, institutions, and communities to build circular systems that cut emissions, reclaim resources, and redefine waste management for a cleaner, more resilient future. (99 words)
• Holloway Cleaners transformed the dry-cleaning landscape with its clean-tech innovations. Under family leadership, the original WeHo location was one of the first dry cleaners west of the Rockies to convert to the GreenEarth process, a pure liquid-silicone cleaning method with zero emissions that is non-allergenic and gentle on fabrics. They also introduced a recyclable 3-in-1 garment bag alternative to single-use plastics, plus compostable poly bags that break down in under 30 days. Through these practices, Holl0way Cleaners turns everyday garment care into climate-conscious action.
• Kimia Arya is an ethical couture fashion brand rooted in sustainability and conscious craftsmanship. Based in West Hollywood, every piece is created in-house, and the brand actively offsets its carbon footprint by planting trees with each purchase through a reforestation partnership with OneTreePlanted.org. Specializing in biodegradable silk and eco-friendly natural fibers materials, Kimia Arya merges luxury with environmental responsibility.

JOHN CHASE ART & DESIGN:

• Baobab Collection has crafted interior perfumes that also function as striking decorative objects since 2002. Renowned as a pioneer of large multi-wick candles, this Belgian brand continues to evolve, designing refined vessels infused with sophisticated fragrances. Choosing a Baobab Collection piece is more than fragrance—it’s entry into a creative, aesthetic dialogue. Skilled artisans hand-pour wax into mouth-blown glass, while master glassblowers sculpt each form. Perfumes, developed in Grasse, bring stories of wonder, romance, and wanderlust to life. 
• Jarrow & Goodman stands as a beacon of art and design in West Hollywood, seamlessly fusing gallery curation with visionary aesthetics. Founded by collector Jarrow L. Rogovin and art professional Michael Goodman, the gallery nurtures both emerging and established contemporary artists. Their programming includes bold, immersive exhibitions like Shroomphoria, which redefines perception through psychedelic expression, and String Theory, where Ritu Raj’s thread-based abstractions push formal boundaries. 
• Design District ArtWalk is one of the West Hollywood Design District’s signature experiences, a vibrant celebration of art, design, and culture woven through the streets of our city. Reintroduced in 2024, the ArtWalk unites galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and public spaces in an immersive evening where creativity is on full display. Guests explore curated exhibitions, installations, and activations from dozens of participating businesses, while shopping, dining, and engaging with the community. Drawing thousands of visitors, the ArtWalk reflects the District’s role as a global destination for style and innovation—transforming West Hollywood into an open-air gallery that celebrates artistry, commerce, and connection in equal measure. 

WEHO ATTRACTION NOMINEES:

• Dialog Cafe has been a West Hollywood staple for more than 18 years, drawing daily lines of fans eager to experience its viral dishes and creative drinks. Owned by brothers Narbeh and Tadeh Ghazalian and helmed by Executive Chef Gino Pineda, Dialog Cafe is best known for its cult-favorite Breakfast Burrito and Chicken Caesar Wrap, along with standout coffees and wellness-driven smoothies like the Honey Sage Matcha and Madagascar Vanilla Latte. Dialog Cafe’s reputation extends far beyond locals—Hollywood icons from Justin Bieber to Kendall Jenner have been spotted in line. With its vibrant menu, celebrity buzz, and community-driven vibe, Dialog Cafe has become a must-visit destination that attracts food lovers from near and far to West Hollywood. 
• STORIES: The AIDS Monument
  REMEMBERS those we lost, those who survived, the protests and vigils, the caregivers,
  CELEBRATES those who step up when others step away, and
  EDUCATES future generations through lessons learned.   Opening November 16, 2025, the 7,000 sq. ft. landmark will be a powerful cultural attraction in West Hollywood Park on San Vicente Blvd., just north of the library. The Monument features 147 soaring “Traces” and immersive digital content, including a Brief History of HIV/AIDS, over 125 personal stories, and a Design Tour. By honoring the past while engaging visitors with art and storytelling, STORIES will draw people from around the world to reflect, connect, and experience West Hollywood’s role as a beacon of resilience and remembrance. 
• Hauser & Wirth West Hollywood brings world-class contemporary art to the heart of the city, transforming Santa Monica Boulevard into a cultural destination. Housed in a beautifully refurbished 1930s Spanish Colonial Revival building, the gallery’s 6,000-sq-ft exhibition space, designed by Selldorf Architects, features vaulted wood-truss ceilings and expansive street-facing windows that draw in passersby. In 2024, the site achieved LEED® Platinum certification, reserved for buildings that demonstrate leadership in sustainability. As a magnet for art lovers across the region, Hauser & Wirth helps elevate West Hollywood’s cultural profile, boosting tourism, foot traffic, and acclaim as a must-visit creative center.