ACOC presents 20th annual Business Excellence Awards

Winners and nominees for the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards gather for a group photo.

Businesses within Amherstburg have been honoured by the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) for the 20th time.

The ACOC held its 20th annual Business Excellence Awards (BEAs) at the McGregor Columbian Club Hall last Thursday night with 16 awards categories with three nominees in each. There were also three additional milestone awards for businesses or organizations celebrating anniversaries this year.

ACOC president Dan Gemus said the award celebration sells out every year with even more people able to be accommodated in 2025.

“This year, we’ve broken a record,” he said.

Amherstburg was connected to four “Best of Windsor-Essex Awards” put out by Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) including Best Downtown Shopping District, Open Air Weekends for the Best Street Event, King’s Navy Yard Park for the Best Park/Garden, and the Amherstburg Santa Claus Parade for Best Parade. The latter is presented by the Windsor Parade Co.

Mayor Michael Prue added that the town had events named as Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) Top 100 Festivals, including the Amherstburg Uncommon Festival, the River Lights Winter Festival, Open Air Weekends and the TRUE Festival.

“We are here to celebrate you. We are here to celebrate what you do,” Prue told the crowd. “We’re here to celebrate you and what you do to make this town great.”

Prue congratulated the winners and the nominees, praising them for providing jobs and driving the local economy. He recalled wanting to bring in commercial and industrial development when he first became mayor.

“It’s what’s needed to provide taxes and to provide jobs,” he said.

The mayor added they appreciate local businesses for “working hard, aiming higher and leading with heart.”

Lori Atkinson represented the event’s title sponsor, Libro Credit Union, and believed the fact it was the 20th annual BEAs need to be celebrated.

“It’s every event like this that reminds us of the power of local businesses,” added Atkinson.

Atkinson said local businesses are the “fabric of the community” and she was excited to see new businesses and ideas.

The three Milestone Award recipients went first, with them going youngest milestone to the oldest. The River Town Times was honoured for its 30th anniversary, with the first edition being published Aug. 8, 1995. Co-owner/sales representative Laura D’Alessandro noted the business was founded by Karen Morrell, Ryan Deslippe and Rusty Brown. Morrell would eventually become sole owner and would sell the business to Southpoint Publishing’s Jim Heyens and Sheila McBrayne in late 2016. Heyens would become the sole owner and sold the newspaper to the current ownership group in mid-2023.

ACOC vice president Ron Bondy presents a 30-year Milestone Award to River Town Times’ owners Ron Giofu, Laura D’Alessandro and Dominic D’Alessandro.

Throughout challenges over the years including the economies and the advent of social media, the paper has remained vibrant. D’Alessandro thanked the community for its support as well as her partners for their efforts, including husband Dominic, who is another partner and who supported her in her dream to buy the business two years ago.

The Amherstburg Freedom Museum was honoured for its 50th anniversary. Board member Cari-Lyn Ristic noted for five decades, the museum has had a mission to provide history, education and present culture to the community. She said the museum tells the stories of African-Canadians and their struggle to obtain freedom, and also tells the stories of what happened after they arrived here. 

ACOC director Anna Marano presents a 50-year Milestone Award to the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, represented by president Monty Logan and board directors Dr. Brenda McCurdy and Cari-Lyn Ristic.

Amherstburg was a stop on the Underground Railroad, she pointed out.

Museum board president Monty Logan noted there are other events coming up, some regular and some to mark the 50th anniversary. Ribs and Ragtime is first up and that is coming up June 14.

“We’d love to fill up King St.,” said Logan.

The Walker Perry Emancipation Golf Classic is Aug. 10 at Coachwood Golf Course in McGregor while the 50th anniversary gala is coming Sept. 20.  Logan added the museum only get ten per cent of its revenue through government sources and the remainder through fundraising and visitation.

The James H. Sutton Funeral Home was honoured for its 120th anniversary. Manager Andrew Pannitto said they are proud of their deep roots in the community. He pointed out their manager Bev Bridgen has been working with the funeral home for the last 43 years and he paid tribute to her and the entire team.

“We’re excited for what the future brings us,” said Pannitto.

The Youth Engagement Award was won by Ava Argoselo, who was unable to attend. Videos of the winners, prepared by Digital Dragonfly, were shown with Argoselo’s outlining her involvement in the student parliament at North Star High School and her leading efforts to reach out into the community, including The House Youth Centre.

Jesse Mickle and Sophie Rivait was also nominated in that category.

The Community Service/Charitable Award was won by the Bryerswood Youth Camp. Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club (BYCOC) vice president Cathy Robertson said it was wonderful just to be nominated.

“Someone noticed what we are doing,” she said.

Joined on stage by president Kathi Poupard, Robertson said it has “been a journey” and the BYCOC acquired the camp in 2021. Their first camp under the new ownership came during March Break 2022.

“It’s all about the community,” said Robertson. “We believe in Amherstburg.”

Other nominees included the Amherstburg Community Foundation and Amy Bailey.

Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) won the Welcoming Accessibility Award, with other nominees being the Gibson Gallery and Sobeys Amherstburg. ACS executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo said they were honoured to be this year’s recipient and thanked her team of employees and volunteers. She said they welcome people to their office and programs and try to provide an inclusive atmosphere for everyone. While more work has to be done, DiBartolomeo said progress is being made.

The Excellence in Customer Service Award was captured by Tanology Amherstburg. Owner Brooke Meloche thanked all of their customers and supporters, noting her husband is her biggest supporter. She said she is excited to see where their journey takes them and will continue to strive for continued excellent customer service.

Other nominees included The House of Mario and Wigle’s Gourmet Meat & Deli.

The Most Attractive Improvement Award was won by Lauri and Kaine Brouyette from Hotel STRY. The mother-and-son combination accepted the award with Lauri stating it was a privilege to be able to restore the building. She praised the other nominees – Adam Rossetto, owner of the building that is occupied by Bucket List Coffee Roastery and Beauty by Bretton as well as Tom Manherz, owner of the building occupied by the Garage Gym. 

“We’ve altogether made Murray St. more of a destination that it was,” she said.

The Tourism and Hospitality Award was won by Vivace Estate Winery. The winery is owned by Jean Qian with Morgan Maxey being on stage to accept the award. She said they take pride in welcoming their guests with great wine and hospitality. She also had kind words for the Amherstburg business community and the town in general.

“This award is a win for all of us,” she said.

The Fort Fun Centre and the Amherstburg Art Crawl were the other nominees.

Sweet Moments Cookie Co. and owner Mary Lippert captured the Entrepreneur of the Year, selected over fellow nominees Anne Ussoletti of The Owl’s Nest Emporium and Maddie Simone of Lymphology Skincare. 

“This is an incredible honour for me,” she said.

Lippert thanked her supporters and family for their assistance, noting she has received their help and encouragement. She has had fundraisers and puts on “Penny Socials” monthly at the AMA Sportsmen Association and gets the support of her family to do so.

The Young Professional of the Year Award was presented to House Youth Centre program director Morghan Shearon. She said she has been part of the organization since she was a youth. Noting she was struggling with her mental health at the time, Shearon received the assistance she needed and is proud to be able to give back to today’s youth. She said she is grateful to the community for its support.

“I can’t wait to see what else I get to do in the community,” she said.

The other two nominees in that category were Kendall Elliott from Amherstburg Chev Buick GMC and Bethany D’Alimonte from Musicland.

Dr. Kim Quinn from Fort Malden Animal Hospital won the Professional of the Year Award.

“I’m so humbled to be nominated for Professional of the Year,” said Quinn. 

Quinn said she is passionate about the future of animal medicine and she said it is a privilege to work with the people of Amherstburg. Quinn said she helps train vet techs and students coming up. She also thanked her staff and her nominator. 

“We hope our passion for the town really shines through,” said Quinn.

Other nominees included Christian Janisse from Simplyclose Law and CPA Allen Provost.

Beth Anne Topolie captured the Health Care Professional of the Year. She thanked the team she works with, noting the journey she undertook when she first entered healthcare to get where she is today. 

“I just love the community so much,” said Topolie. “You have no idea how honoured I am.”

Other nominees were Dr. Guiseppe DePinto and nurse practitioner Melissa Schuurman. 

Richmond Terrace Long-Term Care Home won the Employer of the Year Award. Apans Health Services director of operations Laura Scott and Richmond Terrace executive director Lisa Rosati accepted the award, with Scott saying she got her start at Richmond Terrace.

“I could not be more proud of my team at Richmond Terrace,” she said, adding it was an honour to be nominated and to win Employer of the year.

Apans Health Services is the company that owns Richmond Terrace Long-Term Care Home.

Also nominated for Employer of the Year were CKRT Border City Radio and WFCU Credit Union.

New Business of the Year was awarded to Bucket List Coffee Roastary. Owner Bobby Chappelle recognized the other finalists including Pure Day Spa and the Acai Shack, adding it was an honour to be nominated and to win.

Chappelle thanked his family for believing in his vision and supporting him in it. He also thanked his staff for working with him, noting it is not easy to start a new business.

The Small Business of the Year Award went to Bornais Insurance & Financial Services. Owner Jeremie Bornais said the McGregor Columbian Club Hall was the building he started his career in. As his career evolved and he started his own business, Bornais said he had the full support of his family. He added his wife Kim got licensed and helped out in the business.

“I could not do it alone,” he said. “She buckled down, really worked hard and got her license. We could not be here without her.”

Bornais added they have “a small but mighty team” and thanked his staff as well.

Capri Pizza Amherstburg and B Beauty were the other nominees.

Seasons Amherstburg won Large Business of the Year. General manager Tamasin Dineen said “it’s about making connections” with the people who live there. She said staff actually get two paycheques – the monetary one they live off of and the one that fills their heart as they work with the residents. 

“I hope all of you do something you absolutely love,” she told the audience.

Dineen added she is also the daughter of someone who lives in a Seasons residence.

Also nominated in that category were Amherstburg Chevrolet Buick GMC and Canadian Tire Amherstburg.

The Business Legacy Award went to Walker Aggregates, with Maurice Guimont accepting on their behalf. He noted they were excited to be the winners and they are in their fifth generation. Fellow nominees were A La Mode and Bob’s Leather.

The Believe in Amherstburg Award was captured by the Amherstburg Broadcasting Corporation, the company that owns and operates radio station CKBG 107.9 The Burg. Owner Greg Adler was joined by team members Terence Morris and Marcus Pasceri on stage accepting the award. 

Adler pointed out the station was founded by his father Marty.

“We are so honoured and a little bit surprised to be here,” said Adler. 

Adler told the crowd “this would not have been possible without all of you.”

“We do our best to support the community,” said Adler.

Gemus told the crowd judging took place with the aid of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce as well as Chambers from around the province.

ACOC presents 20th annual Business Excellence Awards 

By Ron Giofu