The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce honoured the municipality’s best businesses last night with the annual Business Excellence Awards.
The Special Merit Award went to Simpsons Fine Clothing. The downtown Port Elgin store recently finished a year-long renovation and is now called Mensch.
Co-owner Betty Simpson says it means person in German and person of integrity in Yiddish. She thinks the name is appropriate because they’re in business of providing clothing for the people of Port Elgin.
Jennifer Grant of Curves in Port Elgin took home the Rookie Business Award. She opened her franchise a year ago and says she was surprised to win the award.
She says her goal is to help women, and that’s why she ended up owning one of the women’s fitness centres.
Cora Computers is the recipient of the Excellence in Technology Award.
Owner Michael Hill says they try to help the local community adapt to changing technology in the computer industry.
The Environmental Award went to Austin Graphics. Co-Owner Randy Derry says all of the paper they use in their company is now recycled. They have also eliminated their chemical process and have moved to using only soy-based inks.
Lakeshore Recreation won the Community Service Award. Co-owner Ann MacKay says they have always tried to be a strong community partner through sponsorships and other ways of giving back to the community.
A new award was also announced that will be presented each year by the Chamber of Commerce at Port Elgin’s annual Pumpkinfest.
The Fred Wuerth Memorial Tri-County Grower’s Award will now be one of the top prizes for the giant pumpkins displayed at Pumpkinfest.
The award is named after former Port Elgin Mayor and Pumpkinfest founder Fred Wuerth, who passed away last November.
Former Chamber President Kent Milroy announced the creation of the award.
Milroy says Wuerth enjoyed life in Port Elgin and developed Pumpkinfest on a whim when he was growing oversized vegetables in his own backyard 25 years ago.
Pumpkinfest has since grown to be one of Ontario’s largest and most respected community festivals.
The Customer Service Excellence Award went to Port’s Emporium.
The Business of the Year is Ralph’s Hi-Way Shopette, a landmark on Goderich Street in Port Elgin.