Citizen, Business Of The Year Awards Handed Out At Bel Air Ceremony

BEL AIR, MD — The town of Bel Air and the Bel Air Economic & Community Development Commission recently honored several businesses and nonprofits.

The two entities held the Bel Air Annual Awards ceremony at the Bel Air Armory downtown.

Business Of The Year

REB Records, located at 4 North Main Street, took home top honors as the 2026 Business of the Year. Owners Sean Lanahan and Mark Santoro accepted the award on the business's behalf.

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners selected it in recognition of its "outstanding commitment to community involvement, support of local initiatives and meaningful contributions to the cultural and economic vitality of the town."

REB Records initially opened as part of Bel Air’s business incubator program, Armory Marketplace, in 2019 and moved into its current location on Main Street in 2021.

Leaders said the business has become both a destination and a community partner, supporting local schools, charities, downtown initiatives, and emerging musicians.

Archer-Bull Award For Architecture

The Bel Air Economic and Community Development Commission presented the Archer-Bull Award to Harford Chabad for its newly constructed facility at 38 East Broadway, which was recognized for its "thoughtful design and successful integration into an established neighborhood."

The architectural firm Frederick Ward Associates was recognized for the building's design and IMARK Builders, Inc. was acknowledged for its construction work on the project.

The Archer-Bull Award honors excellence in architecture and construction and is named for renowned 19th-century Bel Air architect George Archer and master builder Jacob Bull.

Citizen Of The Year

The Board of Town Commissioners presented its Citizen of the Year Award to Phil Raub. This award recognizes a citizen's continuous commitment to improving the Town of Bel Air and creating a positive impact for its residents.

Raub has given his time and talents through 40 years of service, most recently serving on the Town of Bel Air Planning Commission for 20 years.

He also served two terms on the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners from 1984 to 1993, including a term as mayor from 1989 to 1990.

Raub has been a member of the Bel Air Lions for 50 years.