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Swan Lake Nurseryland top business

Locally owned store wins Business of the Year honour at GVCofC Business Excellence Awards
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Swan Lake Nurseryland Fruit Market and Garden Centre was named 2017 Business of the Year at the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards Friday night at the Vernon Lodge Hotel. - Image credit: Facebook photo

A longtime Vernon business was named best of the best Friday.

Swan Lake Nurseryland Fruit Market and Garden Centre – locally owned and operated for more than 50 years – won the prestigious BDC Business of the Year award at the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Business Excellence Awards at the Vernon Lodge Hotel.

“Each of our award winners represent vibrant organizations who have given back to the community in many ways,” said Markus Schrott, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce vice-president. “We congratulate the winners and also acknowledge the many deserving nominees.”

Predator Ridge won the Tourism of the Year Award (sponsored by YLW Kelowna International Airport); the Small Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Community Futures) went to Sun Country Cycle while Farm Bound was tabbed as the New Business of the Year (sponsored by Sandler Training).

Individual awards went to Roy Wood of Thermotech Insulation, named Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Kal Tire); the Community Leader Award (sponsored by MQN) went to Brian Martin of SunFM; and Nick Moffat of Nicholas Alexander Landscaping was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Nixon Wenger LLP). The company was tabbed as New Business of the Year just a couple of years ago.

Other 2017 winners included:

• Employer of the Year (sponsored by Telus): Maven Lane

• Green Business of the Year (sponsored by Let’s Go Transportation): Element Eco-Design

• Manufacturer of the Year (sponsored by City of Vernon): Helmut’s Sausage Kitchen

• Tourism Excellence Award (sponsored by Kelowna International Airport): Predator Ridge Resort

• Newsmaker of the Year (sponsored by the Morning Star): Restoration Lands Inc.

• Non-Profit of the Year (sponsored by Lake City Casino Vernon): Teens Count Too

• Customer Service of the Year (sponsored by MNP): OBC Automotive

“Many of these organizations and individuals have contributed greatly to the well being of the community,” said Dan Rogers, chamber general manager. “It’s important that we celebrate that dedication and in doing so hopefully others in the region will be inspired to dream big and set ambitious goals.”

Presented by Valley First, this year’s Awards Gala drew a crowd of close to 350 to recognize the top businesses and organizations in 13 different categories.