There was a fantastic turnout Wednesday at G.L. Heritage Brewing Company where Amherstburg business owners and community builders were honoured at the 17th Annual Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.
I was particularly happy when River Town Times reporter Ron Giofu was honoured with the Community Service/Involvement Award. Ron is one of the most dedicated, hard-working, community-minded journalists I have ever met. In an era of diminished newsrooms and shuttered newspapers, our Town is lucky to have a reporter like Ron to tell our stories.
I was also happy to see Garage Gym win an award for Employer of the Year. They run a great operation with coaches who are dedicated to promoting the physical and mental wellness of all of their members.
They were in tough during the pandemic with all of its restrictions and pivoted to virtual workouts to keep their employees working and their members working out. I joined the gym in the midst of the lockdown and those Zoom workouts in my den at home helped get me through the most isolating days of the pandemic and into the best shape of my life.
Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for all that you do to promote our Town and all of our businesses and business owners and congratulations to all of the winners and nominees.
Below are all of the nominees, with the winner of each category highlighted in bold.
Business of the Year Award
River Bookshop
Bright Child Montessori
Gilligan’s Fire Grill
Business Legacy Award
Computer Data Products
Waterfront Ice Cream
Nucelli’s Frozen Yogurt
New Business of the Year Award
The Panetteria
Farmhouse Market
Pink Pisces
Employer of the Year Award
Paradise Nursery
Rob & Tina’s No Frills
The Garage Gym
Professional of the Year Award
Dr. Beth Cozens
John D’Alimonte
Sean Sinasac
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Anna Marano & Simon Briggs
Kevin Lafontaine
Elyse Waters
Non-Profit/Charitable Award
Fighting Island Boxing Club
The House Youth Centre
Amherstburg Minor Soccer Association
Tourism & Hospitality Award
GL Heritage Brewing Company
Pepper Cat
Caffeine & Company
Community Service/Involvement Award
Ron Giofu, River Town Times
Kathy DiBartolomeo, Amherstburg Community Services
Tim McAllister, Amherstburg Food & Fellowship Mission
Welcoming Accessibility Award
Libro Credit Union
Riccardo’s Italian Restaurant
Good Shepherd Lutheran Christian Day Care
Most Attractive Improvement Award
Fieldcraft Holdings
The Little White Church
Towne Shoppe
