- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Economic Development
- Town of Bel Air Annual Awards
- Business of The Year Award
Bel Air Business of the Year
2025: John's Men's Clothing
Owners: Maureen Bruneau & Beth Pocalyko
Since opening in 2019, John’s Men’s Clothing has been a standout addition to Downtown Bel Air, filling a clear gap in the local market. While women’s boutiques flourished, there was no destination dedicated to business-style men’s apparel. But the mother-daughter team, Maureen and Beth, recognized that need and met it with professionalism, quality, and style.
John’s Men’s Clothing has elevated the downtown shopping experience while contributing significantly to the economic and cultural fabric of Bel Air. From the start, Maureen and Beth have modeled community collaboration, partnering with neighboring stores, creating shared events, and always seeking ways to support fellow local businesses. They don’t just sell clothes; they strengthen the community and help build a thriving downtown.
What truly sets John’s Men’s Clothing apart is their ability to succeed in an increasingly online retail world. While many brick-and-mortar stores have struggled, they have carved out a strong and loyal following by offering exceptional personalized service and a welcoming experience that keeps customers coming back.
Their “community over competition” mindset also extends well beyond their storefront. John’s Men’s Clothing gives back to the Town of Bel Air through support of local charities, schools, and sports organizations — donating to raffles, gift baskets, and community events such as First Fridays and the St. Margaret’s Fall Festival. They also participate in fashion show fundraisers benefiting groups like the Chesapeake Professional Women’s Network and regularly donate clothing to SARC.
Maureen and Beth embody what it means to invest in and uplift their community. They shop locally, promote neighboring businesses on social media, and take genuine interest in their customers’ lives. At John’s Men’s Clothing, people aren’t just shoppers; they are neighbors, friends, and part of something larger. Through their compassion, dedication, and unwavering support of Bel Air, Maureen and Beth have built a business that truly defines community spirit.
2024: The Newberry Cafe & Bakery
Owner: Nichol Barbes
Since opening on Bond Street in 2017, Newberry Café and Bakery’s contributions to our community has been nothing short of inspirational.
Owner Nichol Barbes and her employees play an active role with numerous government and community organizations. Notably, Nichol serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Harford County. She also designates an employee to serve on the Bel Air Downtown Alliance’s Design Committee. Newberry Bakery and Café participates in Harford Technical High School’s culinary apprenticeship program, serves as a sponsor of the Harford County Public Library’s Evening in the Stacks gala, and partners with Harford County Public Schools’ Future Link program to give students workplace experience.
Newberry Café & Bakery participates in many charity events throughout the year, including support for the Addiction Connection Resource Softball for Sobriety event and participation in holiday gift drives that benefit families in need through the Department of Social Services and Positivity Pals of Harford County.
Newberry Café and Bakery hosts fundraisers for local nonprofits by raising money through the sale of special donuts, they donate baked goods weekly to Fallston United Methodist Church, Aspire Living and Learning and The American Legion, and they donate baked goods to Juvenile Services, UM Upper Chesapeake, the Harford County Public Library and the Bel Air Police Department. Newberry also gives the gift of birthday cakes to children while they are residing at SARC’s Safehouse for victims of domestic violence and at Arrow’s Crossroads Community transitional living program.
Newberry Café and Bakery fosters close community connections with inclusive programs, such as hiring and teaching skills to individuals from recovery houses and hosting workshops for those with disabilities.
Finally, Newberry Café & Bakery has done much to elevate the economic prosperity and vitality of the Town of Bel Air. Along with establishing an agreement with Harford Mutual to create outdoor dining on Bond Street, Newberry has grown from 16 to 30 employees, providing job opportunities for high school and college students as well as other members of the community. On an especially heartwarming note, one of those employees just happens to be the baker from the iconic Bel Air Bakery, which vacated the storefront occupied by Newberry in 2015 after 60 years in business. That baker is still employed by Newberry Bakery & Café today.
2023: LOONEY'S PUB
Owner: William Larney
Looney’s Pub hosts many charity events throughout the year, raising thousands of dollars through a portion of sales donated back to the designated organization. Notably, Looney’s hosts an annual fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s for childhood cancer research, which has raised over $400,000.00 in 10 years, with Looney’s contributing $40,000 of its own to that cause.
Looney’s also gives back to the educators, first responders and service members in our community with events such as teacher appreciation nights, free meals for first responders and law enforcement, as well as military discounts and fundraising for Fisher House, which provides housing for military and veteran families while a loved one is in the hospital.
In addition, Looney’s has hosted fundraisers for countless nonprofits including The Kaufmann Cancer Center, the Chesapeake Cancer Alliance, the Humane Society of Harford County, Autism Awareness, the Down’s Syndrome Society of MD and the Sheriff’s Benevolent Fund, which raised $110,000 in a one-day event.
Looney’s Pub was also there for the displaced restaurant workers with fundraisers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are always willing to lend a hand to Bel Air Downtown Alliance events, such as hosting Main Street Socials, serving as a stop on the Chocolate, Brew & Wine Tour and participating in the Christmas in July Bar Crawl.
We are truly grateful to Looney’s Pub for their dedication to the community and for their contributions to the Town of Bel Air.
2022: To wag for
Owner: Milya Burian
To Wag For has become a wonderful destination on Main Street and has created a joyful place for a very appreciative population – the dogs and cats of Harford County!
To Wag For has made the Main Street area a better and more pet friendly place! The store participates in all activities in Bel Air and is a major sponsor of Winter Wonderland. The store manager dressed up as Santa for 3 months for pictures with dogs and kids alike! They help with recycling, attend meetings, and always try to be there for their neighbors and the wider community. They LOVE Bel Air from the largest company to the smallest street corner, and they pride themselves on kindness, community, and compassion.
To Wag For continues to succeed due to their dedication to the community around them, and they have contributed to sponsoring events and support the Downtown Alliance in their efforts to attract people to Main Street. They extend their hours during Town events and work overtime to help make our Town the best that it can be!
2021: MUSIC LAND
Owner: Larry Noto
Music Land is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021 and has served thousands of musicians during its time in Bel Air.
As many of you know, Larry took over Music Land after the passing of his father and founder of the store, Joe Noto, in 2015. Music Land has been the recipient of several awards through the National Association of Music Merchants including Best Store Turnaround and a spot on the Top 100 Music Stores in the world. Music Land was also recognized with a Local Business Excellence Award by the Comptroller of Maryland.
Locally, Music Land often steps up to donate sound equipment for events such as Music on Main that was just held in this space in August or Music at the Mansion, which is held at the Liriodendron.
The addition of the Music Land Live space has provided an opportunity for the community to gather with events such as Open Mic Nights and Music Master Class Program that was held in partnership with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Maryland Center for the Arts.
Larry has fully embraced his father’s legacy through his active participation in the arts community in Bel Air and Harford County. Larry serves as a Board Member for the Maryland Center of the Arts, the Treasurer and Board Member for the Scottfield Theater Company, a member of the Bel Air Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Board, and a former board member of the Harford County Cultural Arts Board. Larry is also an active member of the Society of Italian American Businessmen and a member of the Upper Chesapeake Hospital Next Generation Leadership Council.
Music Land’s involvement in the community and their efforts to promote Bel Air are hereby acknowledged and we honor and applaud Music Land for their contributions to the Town of Bel Air.