The 14th annual Kanata Chamber of Commerce People’s Choice Business Awards honoured the best and brightest businesses in Kanata, Goulbourn and West Carleton at the Brookstreet Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 21.
“When we become adults we rarely get those gold stars we covet as youth,” said chamber president Greg Weatherdon. “Tonight, we celebrate your excellence.”
The number of votes was unprecedented this year with 18,500 cast, said Rosemary Leu, executive director of the chamber.
“It truly is the people’s choice awards,” she said. “It is about the fantastic Ottawa west community we are all a part of … It’s a celebration of excellence. That’s what we’re here for.”
Twenty-seven awards were presented to those voted most-deserving by the public.
“As a committee, we couldn’t keep up,” said Rick Chase, chair of the awards organizing committee.
This year, 281 companies, non-profits and individuals were nominated for an award in 11 categories in the three geographic regions – Kanata, Goulbourn and West Carleton – represented by the chamber.
“Your patrons, your clients … are recognizing you,” said Chase, adding a nomination recognizes and validates the work done by businesses.
AWARDS
The Kanata Food Cupboard took home the award for Community Support/Non Profit Organization of the Year in Kanata.
“We get a tremendous amount of support from businesses and the city,” said board member Jenna Sudds as she and client co-ordinator Karen Waters accepted the award.
The food cupboard helped 1,100 people last month and has lately been struggling to supply items for children’s school lunches. Juice boxes are one of the items in demand.
Other nominees in the category included:
* Capital City Condors
* Ottawa Hospice Services - Friends of Hospice Ottawa
* TIPES (Thinking in Pictures Educational Services)
* Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre
“We’re in fabulous company in this category,” said Sudds.
In the three communities, People’s Choice Business Awards also went to:
KANATA:
* Large Business of the Year: The SPA Day Retreat
* Small Business of the Year: AAA Kavtech Automotive
* Retail Business of the Year: Grace in the Kitchen
* Restaurant of the Year: Poco Pazzo – Kanata
* New Business of the Year: Aperitivo
* Health and Wellness Business of the Year: Evolution Physiotherapy
* Tourism Business of the Year: Brookstreet Hotel
* Community Support/Non Profit Organization of the Year: Kanata Food Cupboard
GOULBOURN:
* Large Business of the Year: Sobeys – Stittsville
* Small Business of the Year: Complete Hockey Development Centre
* Retail Business of the Year: Natural Food Pantry – Stittsville
* Restaurant of the Year: Napoli’s Café
* New Business of the Year: Kungfu Bistro
* Health and Wellness Business of the Year: Spotlight Hair Studio & Spa
* Tourism Business of the Year: Saunders Farm
* Community Support/Non Profit Organization of the Year: Royal Canadian Legion branch 618 Stittsville
WEST CARLETON:
* Large Business of the Year: Greensmere Golf & Country Club
* Small Business of the Year: Heart & Soul Café
* Retail Business of the Year: Heart of the Valley
* Restaurant of the Year: Cheshire Cat Pub
* New Business of the Year: Alice’s Village Café
* Health and Wellness Business of the Year: Yoga & Tea Studio
* Tourism Business of the Year: Diefenbunker – Canada’s Cold War Museum
* Community Support/Non Profit Organization of the Year: Constance Creek Wildlife Refuge
SINGLE AWARDS:
* Technology Business of the Year: Plasco Energy Group
* Professional Services Business of the Year: LaBarge Weinstein LLP
* Citizen of the Year: Daniel Alfredsson, captain of the Ottawa Senators, and Kathleen Ellis, Rotary Club of Ottawa Kanata Sunrise member and treasurer