Senator Sean Ryan Honors Gino’s NY Pizza In Amherst As February ‘Small Business Of The Month’

SENATOR SEAN RYAN HONORS GINO’S NY PIZZA IN AMHERST AS FEBRUARY ‘SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH’

Nomination Window for March Award Open Until March 27

AMHERST, NY – Today, March 1, 2023, New York State Senator Sean Ryan announced that Gino’s NY Pizza in University Plaza has been selected as the 61st Senate District Small Business of the Month for February. In recognition for the restaurant’s exemplary service to the community during the December blizzard, Senator Ryan will present the pizzeria with a New York State Senate Empire Award.

In 2017, Gino’s NY Pizza opened its University Plaza location across Main Street from the University at Buffalo’s South Campus. This winter, during the December blizzard that forced many other restaurants to close, owner Afrim Rexepi decided to open Gino’s on Christmas Day. Once word got out that the pizzeria was open, they began receiving orders from local hospitals on the verge of running out of food. For two days, Gino’s continued receiving orders from hospitals and kept working to ensure the hospitals’ workers stayed fed.

Senator Ryan will continue to highlight businesses that deserve special recognition for their contributions to the Western New York community throughout 2023. To nominate a business for this month’s award, individuals should fill out the nomination form here or at ryan.nysenate.gov by Monday, March 27.

Businesses that will receive special consideration during the selection process include:

  • Companies that have created a culture of philanthropy and/or demonstrated exceptional leadership in the community
  • Leaders in their industry and/or an innovators in their field
  • Promoters of economic growth in Western New York
  • Family-owned businesses that have successfully passed from one generation to another
  • Companies that conduct virtuous ethical practices and/or utilize green practices


To be eligible for the award, a business must be located in the 61st Senate District, which includes parts of the City of Buffalo, as well as the entireties of the City of Tonawanda, the Towns of Amherst, Grand Island, and Tonawanda, and the Villages of Kenmore and Williamsville. To confirm whether a business is located in the 61st District, individuals can visit nysenate.gov/find-my-senator and enter its address.

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