Kimberley Chamber hands out Business Excellence Awards

The Kimberley Chamber of Commerce held a gala event on Saturday, October 24th, 2015 at the Kimberley Conference Center.

Eric Forbes and his daughter Natasha proudly accept the Kimberley business of the year award at the Kimberley Chamber's gala dinner. — Photo courtesy Kootenay Business

As Small Business Week wrapped up across Canada, the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce held a gala event on Saturday, October 24th, 2015 at the Kimberley Conference Center to hand out this year's Business Excellence Awards.

Before the awards event Kevin Wilson, Economic Development Officer for the City of Kimberley hosted a business panel discussion which included interviews with Kevin Shepit of Steam Donkey Coffee; Jill Bentley-Lobban of Kimberley Centex; Janet (JJ) Johanson of Bear's Eatery and Wade Jarvis of startup business Bohemian Spirits.  They described the successes and challenges they face in starting, expanding or building a business in Kimberley.

Here are the winners of the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards:

Home Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by Toni Lepore Accounting
Winner: Kara Clarke Designs

Retail Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by Kimberley Alpine Resort
Winner: Flowers Galore, Gifts and More

Professional Services Excellence Award
Sponsored by Kootenay Business magazine/Koocanusa Publications
Winner: Gray's Compounding Pharmacy

Youth Friendly Business
Sponsored by B104 & the Drive
Winner: Grubstake Pizza

Creative Professional Excellence Award
Sponsored by Mountain Spirit Resort
Winner: Velvet & Ginjer

Community Booster Award
Sponsored by City of Kimberley
Winner: Green Door Catering

Tradesperson/Contractor of the Year Award
Sponsored by Community Futures East Kootenay
Winner: Tyee Custom Homes

Food and Beverage Industry Excellence Award
Sponsored by Snap'd
Winner: Heartbeet Vegetarian Bistro

Employee of the Year Award
Sponsored by Telus Communications
Winner: Sabrina Park — Creekside Physiotherapy

Environmental Stewardship Excellence Award
Sponsored by BC Hydro
Winner: Root for Me

Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by BDC
Winner: Rustic Hutch

Tourism Excellence Award
Sponsored by Tourism Kimberley
Winner: Kimberley Trails Society

Business of the Year Award
Sponsored by Kimberley Daily Bulletin
Winner: Kimberley City Bakery — Eric Forbes, owner/manager