It was a beautiful Autumn evening with the sun setting over the Lizard Range when people arrived at the Fernie Golf and Country club for the annual Fernie Business and Community Awards. This event has become a significant meter of who is making things happen in Fernie and is organized by the Fernie Chamber of Commerce.
On the business side the most notable winner was the Gear Hub, a new sporting goods shop that is traditional in its offering of puck and ball mixed with bike and ski. They won four awards and this speaks volumes of their impact in the community.
The other business winners that make a difference are: CP Catering who own Rip’N Rickards and manage Corner Pocket at the Griz Inn and the Club House and the Fernie Golf and Country Club. Owners Claude and Lillis Perrault have been in Fernie for close to two decades and have a reputation of quality and consistency.
Giv’Er Shirtworks who relocated to a larger retail location and are producing great product for clients all over.
Ghostrider Trading came under the leadership of Judith Johannsson, a veterin retailer with a world of experience and a great supporter of business in Fernie, who has taken the business to a new level.
The community “Citizen of the Year” went to none other than Mary Giuliano who’s track record of service and support to the community of Fernie is unsurpassed.
Here is the complete list of categories and winners:
New Business of the Year
Gearhub – winner
Le Grand Fromage
Midge’s Mags and Movies
Fernie Business of the Year
Giv’Er Shirtworks – winner
Gearhub
Fernie Fix – Claris Media
Outstanding Customer Service
Gearhub – winner
Giv’Er Shirtworks
Yamagoya Restaurant
Chamber Business Excellence
Ghostrider Trading – winner
Gearhub
Side Street Sweet Shoppe
Entrepreneur(s) of the Year
CP Catering – Claude & Lillis Perrault & Frederik Bergkvist – winner
East Kootenay Security Services – Dean Juneau
Gearhub – Mark Hall & Jonathon Levesque
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Scott Prentice – El Guapo Mexican Diner – winner
Carolyn Doyle – Big Bang Bagels
Nic Genovese – Photographer and Cinematographer
Community Impact Award
Fernie Ghostriders Hockey Team – winner
Fernie Mountain Bike Club
Fernie Trails Alliance
Citizen of the Year
Mary Giuliano – winner
Dee Hatina
Rebecca Hall
