ACOC presents 21st annual Business Excellence Awards
- Ron Giofu
- May 12
- 7 min read
The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) has paid tribute to the business community and to service groups thanks to its 21st annual Business Excellence Awards (BEAs).
The BEAs were presented last Thursday night at the Columbian Club in McGregor with 16 local businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations recognized. ACOC president Dan Gemus said chambers from as far as Grimsby, Oshawa, Sarnia and Barrie helped provide input into the judging process.
Sponsors were thanked and all nominees were congratulated with Gemus stating the hall was sold out again this year.
Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb brought greetings from town council and thanked all of the businesses for what they do for the community. He said business owners and staff put their time, energy and heart into what they do.
“You are a huge part of what makes Amherstburg a special place to live,” Gibb told the crowd.
Business owners show determination, creativity and resiliency, he added.
“I believe Amherstburg has a bright future,” said Gibb. “Amherstburg is a wonderful place to work, live, visit and have a business.”
Ron deJonge from title sponsor Everjonge Homes also cited the importance of what businesses give to a community.
“They give strength, resilience and character to our town,” he said.
The 16 award winners were featured in a video made by Digital Dragonfly, where winners gave their remarks. They were also allowed to address the crowd in person.
Joe Meloche Ford was honoured with the Milestone Recognition Award for their 40 years of service. Founders Joe and Shirley Meloche started the dealership in 1986 and it expanded in 2014. They were recognized with numerous accolades from the Ford Motor Company during that time. They sold the business to their daughters Lisa Jones and Michelle Ropac in 2016 and they continue the family tradition. That award was sponsored by Community Living Essex County.
The Youth Engagement/Leadership Award was presented to Sophie Rivait. Rivait was honoured for her leadership in school, when she was in the Anderdon Leadership Club and now at North Star High School. She is on student parliament, organizes events and promotes causes important to her, helps run toy drives, makes posters for events at the school and serves as a peer mentor.
Rivait also is involved in the arts and dance.
“I love to inspire the younger generation,” she said.
The award was sponsored by Walker Aggregates.
The Community Service/Charitable Award was won by Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157. The Legion not only supports area veterans, but also gives back to the community through charitable donations and community involvement, with president Shawn Wilkie thanking the ACOC and stating the Legion couldn’t do what it does without the community’s support.
“This is absolutely amazing,” he said of the award.
The award sponsor was WFCU.
Greenwood Contracting captured the Excellence in Customer Service Award. Owners Matt and Nathan Gignac said it was an honour just to be nominated and also an honour that people put their trust in the company to do work for them in their homes. They said the good customer services is very important to them and their team.
That award was sponsored by the Dominion Lending Centres Super Mortgage Team.
The Most Attractive Improvement Award went to Loricon Holdings Ltd. for their work at 269 Ramsay St. That building is the former home of Duby’s Home Centre.
Owner Mike Collavino said they renovated the building with an eye to keep the theme of the downtown core, with that being a reason so much brickwork was put into it. The building was purchased in 2024 and renovated the following year, with Collavino saying it was an honour to be part of the downtown core.
The award sponsor was Rob & Tina’s No Frills.
G.L. Heritage Brewing Co. was named winner of the Tourism/Hospitality Award. Co-owner Jen Desjardins-Grondin accepted the award with husband Dwayne and noted the concept started in their garage over ten years ago and they built the business nine years ago as part of their family’s historic farm on Howard Ave. Desjardins-Grondin said they were on a tourism trail and decided they wanted to be part of it, adding they are proud to be part of the town.
The award was sponsored by The Richmond Popcorn Co.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Brad Mailloux from Mailloux’s Farm Fresh. Mailloux said the business is part of a seventh generation farm and prides itself on providing quality, locally-grown produce to Amherstburg residents. He said it is important to be adaptable and creative, adding that weather and climate are often factors in his business.
BDC was that award’s sponsor.
Everett Larouche from ER Plumbing Solutions was named Young Professional of the Year. Larouche said his business began in Amherstburg about five years ago and has grown since being a small start-up. He said he and his team aim to do quality, professional work the first time in order to take care of its customers. He added he wants to build a business that people can trust.
RFG Electrical was the award sponsor.
The Professional of the Year Award was presented to Allen Provost, a CPA with Turner Moore. He said he moved to a town where he wants to be, noting they want a close relationship with their clients. He said he is no stranger to doing business at a person’s kitchen table.
“It’s a very homegrown practice,” said Provost.
Provost added the best decision he and his wife made was to come to Amherstburg to raise their family.
Cintas was the award sponsor.
Andrea Corby from Heavenly Holistics Massage Therapy was named Health Care Professional of the Year. Corby said she launched her business in 2024 with the support of Stacey Guy and she is located within the business on Sandwich St. S. with fellow nominee Dr. Janice Davie. Corby called her business a “sensory sanctuary” and thanked her family for supporting her with her vision.
BMO was the award sponsor.
The Employer of the Year was White Oak Consulting. Owner Kathleen King said they help staff with flexible hours to accommodate their lives and believe in their team. She credited her staff for their teamwork and thanked her husband for supporting her dream. King touted investing in her team and their future.
The award sponsor was the Town of Amherstburg.
The Point Wellness Spa captured the New Business of the Year Award. Owner Heather Clifford said they were honoured to be among the nominees and thanked her family for working to make her dream a reality. She said she has clients who are pleased to take advantage of the services she offers.
“People are happy and excited to come here,” said Clifford.
Clifford also thanked her staff, as “it couldn’t be done without them.”
The award was sponsored by TD.
The Small Business of the Year Award was captured by The Garage Gym. The business, owned by Tony and Dani Smith, started in their garage, moved to the corner of Richmond St. and Sandwich St. S. and are now on Murray St. Tony said they retired as police officers to run their business, with Dani stating they get to know their clients and what they need. Tony added they love the town and said they have made their business what it is.
“This place saved my life,” he said.
Community Futures Essex County sponsored the award.
GrowLiv Biological won the Large Business of the Year Award. The business was one of the largest of its kind in North America and helps the agricultural industry through biological ways to maintain their crops. They have invested the past decade to produce insects that help counter other insects that damage crops. The business was founded by Dr. Ghulam Mustafa and Dr. Abida Nasreen and their bug breeding facility is on Concession 3 North.
Invest Windsor-Essex was the award sponsor.
The Business Legacy Award was presented to the Marsh Historical Collection. The non-profit organization, located within the Heritage Square Plaza at 80 Richmond St., maintains historical archives and artifacts detailing Amherstburg’s history. Flanked by board members Larry Hurst and Mike Greenaway, collections co-ordinator Meg Reiner noted people turn to the Marsh Historical Collection for information on their family’s history or for historical information of the area. They are in their 43rd year and Reiner said they are preserving the stories of Amherstburg. She also paid tribute to founding president Eleanor Warren for her efforts at the Marsh Historical Collection during her career.
The award sponsor was RFG Plumbing Inc.
The final award of the night was the Believe Amherstburg Award, which was won by the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission. The mission started under Pat and Andy Gervais with current president Tim McAllister taking over 20 years ago. The volunteer-run mission serves lunch free of charge to those in need every weekday from 12-1 p.m. and also offers a variety of other services from a baby food program, food bank, computer use, clothing and other free services.
McAllister said many people don’t believe it when he says no one gets paid but it’s the truth.
“We get no money. It’s our hearts for helping the people,” he said. “Our theme is People Helping People. That’s what we’re going to continue to do.”
McAllister said he will be 72-years-old this year but stays active and plans to continue in his role in order to keep helping people.
Team Brad Bondy was the award sponsor.
Tammy Affleck from Libro Credit Union’s Amherstburg branch thanked all the businesses, and the award nominees. She said business owners’ commitment to making Amherstburg a better place is appreciated.
ACOC presents 21st annual Business Excellence Awards
By Ron Giofu
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