After a two-year hiatus due to a global pandemic, the 2022 Powell River Chamber of Commerce Business Awards took place on Saturday, February 4, at Dwight Hall in Townsite.
Some of the winners not photographed were Steve Brooks, founder and manager of Townsite Public Market, who won in the Entrepreneur of the Year category, while The Chopping Block won for best customer service. The tourism award went to PRISMA, a yearly festival that brings world-renowned guest artists to the region.
Aboriginal Business of the Year went to Tla’amin Convenience Store; JehJeh Media was runner-up. Bob Marquis Contracting won the Forestry Sector Award.
Some big cheers were given to many runners-up, including River City Coffee, Two Wheel Tech, Powell River Farmers’ Market; Tyler Woods/Aero Services Ltd; Sean Lawry/Big O Tires; and Sunshine Disposal and Recycling.
2022 BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP
Home-based Business:
Winner: Ever Red Fresh Designs
Runner-up: Perfect Fit for Brides & Grads
New Business of the Year:
Winner: 460 Realty
Runner-up: The VK Wellness Initiative
Entrepreneur of the Year:
Winner: Steve Brooks, Townsite Public Market
Runner-up: Diana Paloma Rodriguez, Iguanas Mexican Grill
Agricultural Award:
Winner: Windfall Farm
Runner-up: Powell River Farmers' Market
Customer Service:
Winner: The Chopping Block
Runner-up: FreshCo Powell River
Customer Service - Hospitality:
Winner: Dairy Queen Powell River
Runner-up: River City Coffee Roasters, Bakery and Urban Eatery
Not-For-Profit Excellence Award:
Winner: Miklat Recovery Society
Runner-up: Powell River Salmon Society
Forestry Sector:
Winner: Bob Marquis Contracting Ltd.
Runner-up: Powell River Community Forest Ltd.
Aboriginal Business:
Winner: Tla'amin Convenience Store
Runner-up: Jehjehmedia
Sustainability Award:
Winner: First Credit Union
Runner-up: Sunshine Disposal & Recycling
Tourism Award:
Winner: PRISMA Festival & Academy
Runner-up: Jimmy Jack Charters.
Small Business of the Year:
Winner: Afterglow Hair Lounge
Runner-up: Two Wheel Tech
Employee of the Year:
Winner: Pieta Woolley, qathet Living
Runner-up: Tyler Woods, Aero Services Ltd
Employer of the Year:
Winner: Melanie Jordan, Sunshine Coast Health Centre
Runner-up: Sean Lawry, Big O Tires & Coast Auto Centre
Business Excellence Award:
Winner: qathet Living
