Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Greater Napanee capped off Small Business Week by saluting its best at the annual Business Awards Event, held Thursday at the Lions Hall.
Once again the Napanee District Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement Area and the town itself joined together to recognize the successes of its local establishments.
Mayor Gord Schermerhorn presented Ryan Cudd of Hay Bay Sand and Gravel with the Youth Employment Award, given to a young employee who shows dedication and drive to a local establishment.
Cole Miller, inventor of Twelve Barrels whiskey, was presented with the Young Entrepreneur Award. Following an appearance on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, Miller secured a deal to sell his whiskey at the LCBO.
The Royal Coachman owners Randy and Janet Farrar were presented with the Communities in Bloom Commercial Award, for the landscaping they’ve done outside their restaurant.
Zeal Health and Fitness Studio’s Jeff and Tricia Cammaart took home the Chamber of Commerce Award, while Hubert Hogle of Hogle Developments and Pat Forster of Season’s Fine Foods were co-winners of the BIA Award.
The Milestone Award was presented to Duane and Sheila Hunt, who have been in the area for over 30 years with Red Tree Developments, Freshcrete and Shelin Pools.
Union Burger’s Rajan Chadha earned Career Edge’s Empowering Employees Through Training Award for his commitment to offering jobs to people of all backgrounds.
The final award was the People’s Choice Customer Service Award, which is voted on by the public as the most welcoming business with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. The award went to Maritime Travel and was accepted by Debbie Morgan, Julia Davidson and Virginia McIntosh.
A special presentation was also made to all new businesses that launched over the last year, as well as any that undertook a major renovation.
A portion of the ceremony was also dedicated to the memory of members of the business community who passed away over the past year. That included Subash Patel, owner of Wallace’s Drug Store since 1970, Frank Guczuly, known as Frank the Barber, who operated Clean Cuts since 1987, Ron Wilson of Wilson’s Hardware and Gail Veltheer, who along with her husband Peter owned Mainstay Natural Foods and Buy The Grapevine.