The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will honour its best tonight.

Its annual awards banquet takes place at the La Place Rendez-Vous.

Executive Director Heather Johnson says there are 45 nominees for the ten awards being handed out.

“All nominations come in from the public, from people who have visited these stores or had service from these stores. So it really does come from the heart,” says Johnson.

Johnson says it’s an extra special night for the nominees in the new business category.

“All these businesses started up basically during the pandemic and have managed to make their businesses flourish and provide excellent customer service. We just need to recognize that.”

The Chamber is also celebrating the award’s 25th anniversary.

That will be recognized throughout the night.

And the nominees are;

Business of the Year 1 – 15 Employees

• Lidkea Optometry
• Sigurdson Construction
• Veldhuisen Construction

Business Woman of the Year

• Alexa Wideman – Rockcut Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Chantal Derendorf – Batter & Cream
• Jo Belluz – Belluz Concrete & Rentals
• June Haver – Alterna Credit Union
• Kristina Matthews – Boho Beauty Bar
• Megan Finlayson – Lotus Hair Studio
• Sarah Noonan – La Place RendezVous

Customer Service – Business

• Badiuk Powersports
• Lidkea Optometry
• North Country Track & Wheel
• Shoppes Drug Mart
• Ski’s Variety
• Sunset Protection

Customer Service Award – Individual

• Chris Cousineau – McTaggarts
• Hayley Michaud – RBC
• Katie Armstrong – McDonalds
• Marc-Andre Michon – RBC
• Michelle Elias – RBC
• Nicole Katona – Sunset Country Ford
• Pam Williams – 4 Your Pet
• Sabrina Puddicombe – Alterna

Business of the Year 16+ employees

• Beyak Automotive Group

Test of Time Award

• Fort Frances Times
• La Place Rendevous
• LCB Logging
• Sight & Sound

Home Based Business Award

• Chantal Derendorf – Batter & Cream
• Patti Wilson – Red Apron
• Shawn Woodgate – Shawn Woodgate

Trainer of the Year Award

• Curvy Chick
• H202GO
• Poirier Distribution

Indigenous Business of the Year Award

• Borderland Cannabis
• Kelvin Caul – Caul’s Catering

New Business 1-3 Years

• Batter & Cream
• Borderland Cannabis
• Fort Floral
• Lotus Hair Shop
• Pro-Auto
• RefleXion Studio
• Rockcut Accounting & Bookkeeping
• RPM Powersports