Local businesses of all sizes were celebrated at last night’s Business Excellence Awards.
The event, which is put on by the Owen Sound and District Chamber of Commerce, was able to give recognition to local businesses across 14 categories.
Tiffany James, CEO for the Owen Sound and District Chamber of Commerce, shared that it was important to celebrate local business that contributes to the local economy, and the community as a whole.
The event, which was held at the Best Western Inn On The Bay had completely sold out of tickets.
“This was the first year in many years where we’ve sold out, so it is so great to see that support for our local business community,” she says. “You don’t realize how bad COVID did affect the local business community, so to see people come out in droves to celebrate local businesses and the achievements they’ve made, it’s important and it’s great to see events and success like that in the crowd so I hope that continues.”
From businesses that are run out of home offices, to bigger companies with more than 25 employees, the companies and businesses recognized are important to the fabric of the community.
“It’s so great to see the small businesses with one employee to the larger corporations come out and those are the ones that make a big effect within our community and it’s nice to see them and it’s nice to recognize them.”
It was also a big night for female-owned businesses.
The two big winners of the evening were the Businesses of the Year, which were split into two subcategories: one for 1-24 employees – an honour that went to Sugar Dust Baking, and the other for 25 or more employees, which was awarded to The European Bakery Cafe.
The category recognizing Skilled Trade Businesses with 1-5 employees had two women-owned businesses.
The ceremony recognized two Businesses of the Year, and both happened to be businesses that were owned by women.
James says that the Owen Sound and District Chamber of Commerce is always looking for new local businesses to join.
The winners are:
Community Service Award – sponsored by Sound Life Solutions
Queen of Hearts Nursery School
Hospitality Award – sponsored by Foodland – Owen Sound
The European Bakery Cafe
New Business of the Year – sponsored by Meridian Credit Union
The Climber’s Crush
Entrepreneur of the Year (under 35 years of age) – sponsored by Georgian College
Sour Cat Records
Entrepreneur of the Year (over 35 years of age) — sponsored by Sprucedale Argomart
NakdBasics
Service Excellence Award – sponsored by Suite Spots Flexible Business Space
The Milk Maid
Skilled Trade Award (6+ employees) sponsored by Troy Life & Fire Safety
Benedict Electrical Contracting Limited
Skilled Trade Award (1 – 5 employees) – sponsored by GSS engineering Consultants
Meg’s Drywall
Community Service Award (Not-for-Profit) – sponsored by Marylon Hall RE/MAX Grey Bruce Realty
Grey Bruce Hospice
Small Office/ Home Office – sponsored by Staples Owen Sound
Mike Molloy Emergency First Aid Training
Business of the Year (1 – 24 employees) – sponsored by MNP
Sugar Dust Baking
Business of the Year (25+ employees) – sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada
The European Bakery Cafe
Agriculture – sponsored by Scotiabank
Donald’s Honey
Arts & Culture – sponsored by TG Group
The Roxy Theatre OSLT
