A night to celebrate Yarmouth’s business community.

The 16th annual Yarmouth Business Awards were held at Mariners Centre Thursday night.

About 300 people attended the ceremony, which saw Novatec Braids win 2 awards, including Large Business of the Year, and Business Leader of the Year.

Company president Kevin Muise says he has great employees.

“They are hard working, great people. Some of them have been there since the beginning, and were original Dominion Textile employees. I’ve been here a year, moved back from Ontario, it’s been great,” said Muise.

12 awards were handed out, Heritage Brewing took Small Business of the Year.

Quinan’s Deep Sky Eye Observatory won the tourism award.

A new category was the Female Entrepreneur of the Year, won by Krista Smith of the Style Merchant.

She says it’s such an honour.

“A lot of challenges go into being a female entrepreneur. I’m just so happy that this award is here, but so happy to receive it this year,” said Smith.