Assembly Resolution No. 89

BY: M. of A. Norris

HONORING McDuffies Bakery upon the occasion of its
designation as recipient of the 2019 Large Business
of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of
Commerce on March 7, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those individuals and businesses that contribute
substantially to the economic vitality of their communities, thereby
enhancing the economic well-being of the entire Empire State; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor McDuffies
Bakery upon its designation as recipient of the 2019 Large Business of
the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated at
its 47th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Samuel's
Grande Manor in Clarence, New York; and

WHEREAS, McDuffies Bakery is receiving this prestigious award for
its steadfast and unremitting commitment to its Clarence community; and

WHEREAS, In early 1976, David Thomas, his wife, Paula, and their
three children moved to a small house at the corner of Main and Kraus
Streets in Clarence; using his grandmother McDuff's Scottish shortbread
cookie recipe, he soon launched McDuffies Bakery, and sold the delicious
treats nationally by mail; some of his early customers included the
Anheuser family, the Lionel family, Jackie Gleason, Princess Grace,
Ronald Reagan and even the White House; and

WHEREAS, As word spread throughout the country of these amazing
cookies, companies such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, United
Airlines, The Marriott Hotel chain and many others became customers
resulting in two additions to the tiny house that is now home to over a
million dollars in state of the art bakery production and quality
control equipment in over 10,000 square feet of production space; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, David Thomas' son, Brian, joined the company, and
today, continues his family's proud tradition of making quality, home
style products for its loyal customers all over the world; and

WHEREAS, Under Brian Thomas' luminous leadership, McDuffies Bakery
introduced another one of Grandma McDuff's creations, Chicken Pot Pie in
the summer of 2011; an instant success, customers started driving to
Clarence from all over with large coolers in their cars to stock up on
these flavorful pies; and

WHEREAS, Brian Thomas quickly opened two Mr. Pot Pie stores in East
Aurora and Hamburg, New York, and people have raved about Grandma
McDuff's delicious recipe ever since; currently, customers can purchase
eight different flavored pot pies; and

WHEREAS, In addition to their incredible shortbread and pot pies,
McDuffies Bakery features a variety of fresh baked items from scones to
coffee cakes and daily fresh baked artisan breads in a number of

variations and a selection of soups prepared from garden fresh
vegetables; and

WHEREAS, The success of McDuffies Bakery is in direct correlation to
the efforts of its President Brian Thomas, and his staff, whose
involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the
community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges McDuffies Bakery's success, recognizes its contributions to
the local and State economies, and extends its highest commendation to
the corporation and its employees, fully confident that, in its future,
it will enjoy the same success which has so characterized its past; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor McDuffies Bakery upon the occasion of its designation as recipient
of the 2019 Large Business of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of
Commerce; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Brian Thomas, President, McDuffies Bakery.