After three weeks of online voting, the winners of the seventh annual Best Of Chester Municipality Business (“Best Of”) Awards were announced Thursday morning.
The Best Of Awards highlight some of the finest local businesses in the municipality with winners and runners-up in 23 categories.
Businesses were nominated in the 23 categories starting in March, after which the top three were then moved on to a public voting round.
This year 14,345 votes were cast, an impressive number considering the latest data from Statistics Canada shows the municipal population is around 11,000.
“Local business and non-profit organizations in our Municipality provide quality products, services and spaces for our residents and visitors to enjoy. Thanks to all organizations, their respective owners, employees, volunteers, and customers and a big congratulations to this year’s winners and runners-up.”
-MOC Warden Allen Webber
The winners and runners-up in each category are as follows:
- Best Artisanal Retailer: Julien’s Pastry Shop Ltd. (runner-up: Kiwi Pantry)
- Best Building Services: Chester Building Supplies (runner-up: Toadz Odd Jobs)
- Best Building Supplies Store: Chester Building Supplies (runner-up: Chester Home Hardware)
- Best Community Space: Together We Can Community Park (runner-up: Lordly Park)
- Best Farm or Forestry Business: Ross Farm Museum (runner-up: Conserve a Tree Forestry)
- Best Garden Services: Oceanview Home and Garden (runner-up: Downey’s Pitcher Plant Nursery)
- Best Gas Station: The Gold Nugget AFN (runner-up: Chester Basin Petro-Canada)
- Best Grocery or Convenience Store: Spidles’ Your Independent Grocer (runner-up: Foodland – Chester)
- Best Health Care Provider: Our Health Centre (runner-up: Chester Family Dental – Dr. Natasha Zinck)
- Best Health or Beauty Services: Luna Salon Spa & Boutique (runner-up: Valerie’s Hair Studio)
- Best Manufacturing Business: Black Harbour Distillers (runner-up: Hawboldt Industries)
- Best Marine Services Business: Gold River Marina (runner-up: South Shore Marine)
- Best Mechanic or Auto Shop: Chester European Automotive (Jeff’s Old Volks Home)(runner-up: Gold River Service Centre)
- Best Non-Profit Group: Chester Lighthouse Food Bank (runner-up: Integrity’s Haven Equine (Animal) Rescue Centre)
- Best Pet Services: Your Friend and Mine Pet Supplies (runner-up: Chester Basin Animal Hospital)
- Best Place to Have Coffee: Imperfections Café (runner-up: Kiwi Café)
- Best Place to Stay: Oak Island Resort & Conference Centre (runner-up: Mecklenburgh Inn)
- Best Professional Services: Scotiabank – Chester (runner-up: New Ross Credit Union)
- Best Realtor: Susan Diamond, Engel & Volkers (runner-up: Jessica Burch, Royal LePage Atlantic)
- Best Restaurant: The Gold Bean Café (runner-up: Rope Loft Dining Room)
- Best Spa or Fitness Facility: Sensea Nordic Spa (runner-up: Luna Salon & Boutique)
- Best Specialist Retailer: Black Harbour Distillers (runner-up: Julien’s Pastry Shop Ltd.)
- Best Vendor at a Farmers’ Market: Julien’s Pastry Shop Ltd. (runner-up: Higbee’s Berry Farm and Nursery)
The Municipality of Chester is considering changes to the format of the awards next year, and they are inviting residents to share their thoughts on any potential changes by reaching out to their Community Economic Development Officer, Olivia Corkum, at ocorkum@chester.ca.
