Staff
From the Grind Up was named Business of the Year last night during the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s 19th-annual Tbaytel business awards gala at La Place Rendez-Vous.
The other nominees in this category were The Harbourage Restaurant, Lowey’s Greenhouse & Market Garden, and Copper River Inn.
From the Grind Up employee Samantha Pearson accepted the award on behalf of owner Ben Morelli.
The Scott Street coffee shop and restaurant first opened its doors in February, 2013.
Another young business owner, Bryce Campbell of the Copper River Inn, was named Entrepreneur of the Year.
Campbell has done extensive renovations on the former Adventure Inn, and about one year ago re-opened the business with a whole new look and menu.
The other nominee in this category was Melanie Williams (Party Rock DJ Services).
Penny Faragher of Northwoods Gallery & Gifts won the Employee of the Year Award.
Jay Caldwell (La Place Rendez-Vous), Penny Flatt (Northwoods Gallery & Gifts), and Sherry George (Fort Frances Museum) also were nominated.
Linda Plumridge, meanwhile, won the Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award for her years of dedicated work with numerous community groups.
Maxine Hayes and June Keddie were the other nominees.
Nina Stopa (Back in Motion) was honoured as Business Woman of the Year.
The other nominees were Pamela Williams (4 Your Pets), Melanie Williams (Party Rock DJ Services) and Jess Comeau (807 Custom Paint & Grafix).
The Customer Service Award (Individual) went to Brenda Hanzuk (Life Labs).
Also nominated were Rob Georgeson (Investors Group), Samantha Pearson (From the Grind Up), and Neila Booth (Northwoods Gallery & Gifts).
Lowerys beat out McDonald’s Restaurant to win the Customer Service Award (Business).
Diane Gibson (Gibson Design) won the Home-Based Business Award.
The other nominees were Jess Comeau (807 Custom Paint & Grafix), Shelley Wepruk (Sweety Cakes), and Inga Friesen (Merge2).
The Small Business Trainer of the Year Award went to Paul Peters (Sunrise Meat & Sausage).
The other nominees were Andy Peters (Andy Peters Plumbing & Heating) and Ted DeBenetti (A Buck or Two).
For the first time, the winners were determined by the public via online voting.
A total of 1,021 votes were cast by the 5 p.m. deadline on March 3.
The awards gala included a presentation on young entrepreneurs by guest speakers Mike Nitz, Business Banking RBC regional manager, and Stephanie Ash of Firedog Communications Inc.
It also featured “Fabulous Feud”—where tables of guests played a game show similar to “Family Feud” to win prizes.
Music was provided by “Entirely Mac.”
