On June 14, 2017, on a sultry Wednesday night in Savannah on what would have been Johnnie Ganem Sr. 102nd Birthday, Savannah's social, community, political & business leaders, gathered under a giant tent bedecked with hundreds of hanging flower baskets to honor a local  iconic business establishment: Johnnie Ganem's WIne & Package Store which celebrated 75 Years of providing spirits for all of Savannah's most important events. The family's matriarch, Mrs. Louise Ganem who celebrates  96 years this month was on hand in a Diamond Tiara to make sure everyone knew she was still the Lady in Charge !   "Savannah has been good to us and we wanted to celebrate with friends, family and loyal customers", stated the sibling owners;  Paul, Margaret and Evelyn Ganem.   "Not many businesses make it to 75 years and we need to support these local businesses"  added the honorable Eddie Deloach, Mayor of Savannah.    

VIPS ATTENDED: Other dignitaries included, Bill Hubbard, President of the Chamber Commerce; Carolyn Bell, Van Johnson, Bill Durrence, Mickey Minick, 2017 President of Buy Local Savannah, Karen Guinn, President of Downtown Business Association, Hunter Hall of US Congressman's Buddy Carter's office,LeAndrea MIkell of the Small Business Chamber of Savannah,  Ron Scaif of the Tourism Leadership Council, Stephen Plunk of the South of Derenne Association, Miriam Center, well known author & community activist who celebrates 91 years of age this year, Alfonso Ribot, President of Hispanic Chamber Of Savannah,  and Jolene Byrne, School Board President.  Local

CHARITY LEADERS:  For the past 75 years,  Johnnie Ganem's, located in the famous Historic District of Savannah,  on the corner of Gaston and Habersham Streets,   has been one of the largest business donors to local charities.  Many of Savannah's top charities including Second Harvest Food Bank, Rape Crisis Center, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure,  Social Apostolate of the Catholic Diocese,  were in attendance to honor this community minded family-owned business.   
 
SOCIETY  CHEFS !  Six of the top Savannah chefs & their teams prepared decadent delights for 400+ guests.  Chefs included: Susan Mason of Susan Mason Catering preparing her ever famous and delicious crab cakes; Chef Nick Mueller & Co,  Cynthia Creighton Jones of Cape Creations, Chef Mark Scomo of Savannah Special Events, Lori Collins, Chef Montana Dawn, Chef Miranda Meeks of Savannah Coffee Roasters, and the Award Winning Chef Jean Vendeville of the Culinary Dept of Savannah Tech.
 
SPECIALITY CAKES:   Two of Savannah's best bakers crafted speciality cake sculptures for the event.   The first masterpiece was a 3-Tier Johnnie Ganem 75th Jubilee covered with diamonds, by Chef Ted Paskevich & Don Holland of Joe's Homemade cafe. Mrs. Louise Ganem was presented with a specially designed 96th birthday cake by Abby Longwater of Wicked Cakes of Savannah, featuring 2 life size sculptures of famous wine bottles in edible wine boxes.