The Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce reflected on the past year and honored businesses and individuals during an annual event.

The chamber held the 2026 Celebrate Adel event on Monday to recognize the Business and Citizen of the Year for 2025. Local vendors from the Adel and DeSoto area also offered samples during a Taste of Adel. 

Board Chair Megan Garrett addressed the audience to welcome all the members.

“Thank you for being here tonight. It is a pleasure to gather in a room filled with people who make this community not just function, but thrive. This year’s theme, ‘Rooted in Legacy, Growing Forward,’ reflects something we see everyday in Adel. We are a community grounded in strong values, deep relationships and a shared history that continues to shape who we are. At the same time, we are not standing still. We are building, evolving and looking ahead with intention. That balance, honoring where we’ve been while investing in where we’re going, is what makes Adel special tonight.” 

President Erin Milroy took a look back at highlights from the past year and also looked ahead to upcoming events. She shared that the chamber celebrated 10 ribbon cuttings in 2025 and also started holding CHOW (Chamber Happenings, Opportunities and Wisdom) Luncheons. 

Milroy detailed that the board is working on new branding and marketing to reflect the chamber’s responsibility for economic development. She also highlighted that the Adel Farmers Market will be moving downtown for the 2026 season, starting on June 2. 

The evening wrapped up with the awards ceremony. Adel Living Magazine and McClure Engineering recognized the Business and Citizen of the Year. 

Azalea Lane Boutique was named the 2025 Business of the Year while Matthew Karns received the 2025 Citizen of the Year Award. A special award was also presented to former Mayor Jim Peters for his support to the business community over his 38 years of service to the city.

Azalea Lane Boutique Owner Kristi Anderson talks about her reaction to being named the Business of the Year.

“I was very honored. As a small business, it’s nice to have your hard work recognized. There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t realize when you own a small business. So something like this is very, very humbling.”

While Karns appreciates being recognized as the Citizen of the Year, he adds that the award goes beyond him.

“I really appreciate the honor, but it really stems from collaboration with other great people. Whether that’s people from work or my family and civic organizations like the Rotary Club. It’s other people that I have been able to work with and have been able to make some impacts in the community.”