Taylor’s Market, Newlander, Golden House among winners of CBS business awards
By Mark Squibb
October 27, 2023 Edition
The Town of Conception Bay South held its 12th annual Bright Business Achievement Awards luncheon last Wednesday at the Manuel’s River Interpretation Centre.
The Town, in conjunction with CBDC, the Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, TD Bank, Downtown Conception Bay South, and the BDC, handed out awards in nine categories. Some 40 local businesses were nominated for awards.
“Our business community means so much to us here in our town,” said Mayor Darrin Bent. “Our business community has been the backbone of our economy and of the building and development of Conception Bay South over our 50-year history and absolutely beyond that.”
Bent added it is always a pleasure to honour businesses and recognize their achievements and noted that 36 businesses have opened in CBS within the past year.
The first award to be handed out was the Beautiful Business (Single Tenant award) which went to Brian’s Autobody, a staple in Conception Bay South for over 40 years. The Beautiful Business (Multi-Tenant) award went to Golden House Restaurant in Kelligrews, which is celebrating its eight anniversary this year. The award recognizes business that take great pride in the appearance of their grounds and exterior. Both Brian’s Auto Body of Manuels and Golden House underwent exterior renovations this past year, while Golden House also redesigned its dining room.
The next award was the Community Pride and Partnership award, which is presented to a business that contributes to the community through support of recreation, amateur sports, community initiatives, arts and culture, education, or charitable organizations. That award went to Taylor’s Fish, Fruit & Vegetable Market, whose owners have worked with many organizations, such as the CBS Foodbank, Salvation Army, the Single Parents Association, and more over the years. Taylor’s also took home the Established Business award, which recognizes commercial or home-based businesses with distinguished business skills, recent notable achievements, exceptional customer service, and positive economic impact, that have been operating for longer than 36 months.
The New Start Up of the Year went to Newlander Meat Shop in Long Pond. The shop opened earlier this year and has already collaborated with a number of other local businesses.
Good 2 Grow NL was named the recipient of the Sustainable Business of the Year award. The award recognizes businesses that employ good environmental practises, and are evaluated on factors such as greenhouse gas reduction, renewable energy usage, sustainable materials, water conservation, waste reduction, sustainable packaging, supply chain improvements, and other sustainable processes.
The David Murphy Leadership award, which recognizes Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce members who demonstrate outstanding spirit, creativity, and innovation in their daily business activities, was awarded to JOYFIT, a business that has already collaborated with a number of other businesses since opening in March of this year.
The Downtown CBS Member of The Year, awarded to a member who contributes to the overall vision of Downtown CBS, was awarded to Ninepenny Brewing. The brewery has become an entertainment hub and regular host for events such as painting sessions, open mics, trivia nights, and other social activities.
Perhaps the most heartfelt award of the afternoon went to Darren Kennedy of Home Hardware, who was awarded the Glenda Noseworthy Employee Recognition Award. Kennedy has been working at Home Hardware since 1983 and is the store’s longest serving employee. Outside of his regular duties, Kennedy plans birthday celebrations for each staff member.
Other nominees for the employee award were Jamie Murphy of Seal Cove Grocery, Joey Chaulk of Supplement King, and Melinda Lodge of Shenanigans Bar and Grill.
The special guest speaker for the gala was Premier Andrew Furey.
Town of Conception Bay South celebrated its entrepreneurs last week during the annual Bright Business Awards held during Small Business Week. In left photo, councillor-at-large Christine Butler introduced the nominees for Best Sustainable Business, which included, from left: Steve Ivany of Good2Grow NL, Runmei He of Golden House, Deanne Whalen of East Coast Mortgage Brokers-Team Whalen, and Jennifer Peddle of Jennifer’s Quilt Shop. Other Sustainable Business award nominees, who were not in attendance at the ceremony, include Action Auto & Window Glass Ltd., Around the Block Quilting & Fabric Shop, and Ava’s Takeout & Convenience. The Justin Locke, right, represented the award’s sponsor TD Bank. Good2Grow was the recipient. In middle photo, Taylor’s Fish, Fruit and Vegetable Market was named recipient of both the Community Pride and Partnership Award and the Established Business of the Year Award. Ward 3 councillor Gerard Tilley, left, and TD Bank representative Justin Locke presented one of the prizes to Taylor’s representative Nancy Taylor, centre. And in right photo, Darren Kennedy of Home Hardware was awarded the Glenda Noseworthy Employee Recognition Award. It was presented to Kennedy by councillor Paul Connors, left, and CBA Chamber of Commerce chairman Thomas Williamson, right. Mark Squibb photos