Campbell River and area residents have spoken – loudly and clearly – about who they think is the best in the region.
They made their nominations and cast their votes for the best People & Places, Food & Drink, Shops & Services, Arts & Entertainment, Sports & Recreation and Professionals (Individual).
The Readers Choice Awards were open-ended so instead of voting for nominated businesses, readers nominated whomever they wanted in whatever category they wanted. Thus, all of the entrants were determined by the readers.
The overwhelming response of nominations could have something to do with the incredible prize all elegible entries were qualified to win: a Specialized Mountain Bike in Rocket Red from Swicked. Alison Boucher was the lucky randomly selected winner of the grand prize.
Once again this year there were many multiple award winners and many repeat winners from previous years. One in particular, took five categories. Congratulations to Eden Street Salon and Day Spa!
The winners and finalists were invited to a gathering at the Maritime Heritage Centre on Oct. 24 to toast their success and share in the glow of knowing their work and endeavours are appreciated by customers and residents of the community. This is a moment to reflect on a job well done. For readers, it’s also an opportunity to express what they love about their community. It reaches to the heart of what makes life in this great region so wonderful and fufilling.
For a photo gallery from the event visit our Facebook Page.
Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the Campbell River Mirror 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Allow us to introduce the winners and finalists…
The 5th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards supplement was included in the Oct. 30 edition of the Campbell River Mirror. You can view it online here.
BEACH FOR SWIMMING
WINNER: SARATOGA BEACH
Finalists
McIvor Lake
Miracle Beach Provincial Park
BIKE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER SEAWALK
Finalists
Willow Point Park
Beaver Lodge Lands
CITY PROJECT WORTH THE WAIT
WINNER: BIKE PARK
Finalists
Traffic Circle Rockland Road
Traffic Light on Jubilee
GREATEST PLACE TO WORK
WINNER: EDEN STREET SALON & DAY SPA
Finalists
Campbell River Veterinary Hospital Dog
Grooming
RBC Royal Bank
LOCAL RADIO DJ
WINNER: ASHLEIGH CLARK
Finalists
Bill Nation
Paul Morrow
LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA ORGANIZATION
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER MIRROR
Finalists
I Love Vancouver Island Facebook Page
Kitty Cat PALS
NETWORKING ORGANIZATION
WINNER: WOMEN IN NETWORKING
Finalists
River City Business Networking
Young Professionals
PLACE FOR A WEDDING
WINNER: DOLPHINS RESORT
Finalists
Painter’s Lodge
Maritime Heritage Centre
PLACE TO BE A TOURIST
WINNER: ELK FALLS SUSPENSION BRIDGE
Finalists
Campbell River Pier
PLACE TO GET A MILITARY DISCOUNT
WINNER: BILL HOWICH CHRYSLER
Finalist
Legion Campbell River
PLAYGROUND
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER SPORTSPLEX
Finalists
Hagel Park
Robert V. Ostler Park
POLITICIAN
WINNER: RACHEL BLANEY
Finalists
Andy Adams
Claire Trevena
SERVICE GROUP
WINNER: CR ROTARY NOON CLUB
Finalists
Salvation Army
CR Rotary Daybreak Club
YOUTH ACTIVIST
WINNER: SYLAS THOMPSON
Finalists
Girl Guides Campbell River
Tara Jordan
BAKERY
WINNER: DAVES’ BAKERY
Finalists
Steiner Bakery
Perks Donus
Fresh Start Bistro
BURGER
WINNER: A & W
Finalists
SoCal Restaurant & Lounge
White Spot
BREAKFAST / BRUNCH
WINNER: IDEAL CAFE
Finalists
Dolphins Resort
Popsey’s Restaurant
CAESAR COCKTAIL
WINNER: SOCAL RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
Finalists
Moxie’s Grill & Bar
Match Eatery & Public House
CHINESE FOOD RESTAURANT
WINNER: SEA WOK
Finalists
The Driftwood Restaurant
Rose Bowl Restaurant
CHOCOHOLIC EXPERIENCE
WINNER: ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Finalists
Boston Pizza
Daves’ Bakery
COFFEE SHOP (FRANCHISE)
WINNER: STARBUCKS
Finalists
Tim Hortons
Serious Coffee
COFFEE SHOP (INDEPENDENT)
WINNER: THE ISLAND GRIND COFFEE & TEA
Finalists
FoggDukkers Coffee
The Java Shack
DESSERT
WINNER: DAVES’ BAKERY
WINNER: DAIRY QUEEN GRILL & CHILL
Finalist
Steiner Bakery
DOUGHNUT
WINNER: PERKS DONUTS
Finalists
Steiner Bakery
Tim Hortons
ETHNIC FOOD
WINNER: ROYAL ZAYKA
Finalists
Imagine Thai Food
Honey Lemon Grill
FARM MARKET VENDOR
WINNER: WILLOWS FARM MARKET & GARDEN CENTRE
Finalists
Roots Rising
Merville Organics
FAST FOOD
WINNER: A & W
Finalists
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
Wendy’s
FINE DINING
WINNER: HARBOUR GRILL
Finalists
Ox Chophouse
Dolphins Resort
FISH & CHIPS
WINNER: DICK’S FISH & CHIPS
Finalists
Dockside Fish & Chips
Jigger’s Grill
FOOD TRUCK
WINNER: 4 ALTOS TACOS TRUCK
Finalists
Tasty Kitchen Outlet - TKO
Baba Gannouj
FRESH SEAFOOD
WINNER: CRABBY BOB’S SEAFOOD INC.
Finalists
Harbour Grill
Dick’s Fish & Chips
HOT WINGS
WINNER: BOSTON PIZZA
Finalists
Riptide Marine Pub
MVP Pub & Family Restaurant
ICE CREAM / GELATO SHOP
WINNER: DISCOVERY FISHING PIER ICECREAM SHOP
Finalists
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
Nite Time News
LOCAL CHEF
WINNER: JOE VOLK, Riptide
WINNER: PETER APOSTOLAKOS, 50th Parallel
WINNER: MICHAEL HNIDY, Fresh Start
WINNER: MARIO BALASTAL, The Garage
PATIO FOR DINING
WINNER: QUAY WEST KITCHEN & CATERING
Finalists
SoCal Restaurant & Lounge
Match Eatery & Public House
PIZZA
WINNER: PANAGO PIZZA
Finalists
White Tower
Restaurant
Boston Pizza
PLACE FOR WORKDAY LUNCH
WINNER: SESSION BISTRO & SPIN ROOM
WINNER: HEALTHYWAY NATURAL FOODS MARKET: CEDAR STREET EATS
Finalists
Honey Lemon Grill
PUB OR LOUNGE WINNER: RIPTIDE MARINE PUB
Finalists
Beach Fire Brewing and Nosh House
Fifty Parallel Tap & Grill
RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW
WINNER: QUAY WEST KITCHEN & CATERING
Finalists
Fifty Parallel Tap & Grill
Riptide Marine Pub
BEST VEGETARIAN FARE
WINNER: FRESH START BISTRO
Finalists
Royal Zayka
Session Bistro & Spin Room
SANDWICH
WINNER: THE JAVA SHACK
Finalists
Shot in the Dark Cafe
Subway
SUSHI
WINNER: SUSHI MONG
WINNER: MIKI’S SESAME SUSHI
Finalists
Wasabiya Japanese
Sushi Cafe
APPLIANCE STORE
WINNER: ISLAND HOME FURNITURE
Finalists
Merit Home Furniture & Appliance
Rick’s Used Appliance
AUTO DEALER - NEW
WINNER: STEVE MARSHALL FORD
Finalists
Bill Howich Chrysler Ltd.
Campbell River Toyota
AUTO DEALER - USED
WINNER: ISLAND OWN TRUCK & AUTO SALES LTD.
Finalists
Gord Knight Ventures Ltd
Campbell River Hyundai
AUTO SERVICE SHOP
WINNER: STEVE MARSHALL FORD
Finalists
Campbell River Auto Center
NAPA AUTOPRO-Seymour Services
BIKE SHOP
WINNER: PEDAL YOUR WORLD
Finalists
Swicked Cycles Ltd.
Spokes
BOOKSTORE
WINNER: COHO BOOKS
Finalists
Mom’s Book Bin
Willow Point Used Books
CAR WASH
WINNER: LASERWASH CAMPBELL RIVER
Finalists
Quinsam Shell
Husky
CHILDREN’S CLOTHES
WINNER: RASPBERRY RASCALS
Finalists
Kuddles Children’s Consignment
The Bower Store & Studio
COMMUNITY MINDED BUSINESS
WINNER: THE BOWER STORE & STUDIO
Finalists
Salvation Army
Associated Tire & Auto
COMPUTER STORE
WINNER: ODYSSEY COMPUTERS
Finalists
Pier Street Computers
London Drugs
CONSIGNMENT
WINNER: CLASSY KATZ CONSIGNMENT
Finalists
Kuddles Children’s Consignment
New-2-U Consignment
CUSTOMER SERVICE
WINNER: PEDAL YOUR WORLD
Finalists
Dogwood Pet Mart
Stonehouse Teas
DAYCARE / PRESCHOOL
WINNER: CHRISTIAN LIFE CHILDREN’S CENTRE
Finalists
Kidz Connection Child Care Center
Island Life Early Learning Centre
DOLLAR STORE
WINNER: DOLLARAMA
Finalists
Dollar Tree
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
WINNER: RBC ROYAL BANK
Finalists
TD Canada Trust Brach
Coastal Community Credit Union
FLOORING STORE
WINNER: FLOORING CANADA CAMPBELL RIVER
Finalists
United Floors Campbell River
CR Floors Ltd.
FLOWER SHOP
WINNER: PETALS FLOWER SHOP
Finalists
Thrifty Foods Floral Dept.
Campbell River Florist
FURNITURE / HOME DECOR STORE
WINNER: DODD’S FURNITURE &
MATTRESS
Finalists
Avenue For The Home
Merit Home Furniture & Appliance
Island Home Furniture
GARDENING CENTRE
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER GARDEN CENTRE
Finalists
Canadian Tire
Sticks ‘N Stones Nursery
GIFT SHOP
WINNER: THE BOWER STORE & STUDIO
Finalists
Museum Gift Shop
Ultimate Gift Boutique
Signature Oil & Vinegar
GROCERY STORE
WINNER: SAVE-ON-FOODS
Finalists
Quality Foods
Thrifty Foods
HAIR SALON
WINNER: EDEN STREET SALON & DAY SPA
Finalists
A Cut Above Design Group
Headquarters Hair Salon
HEALTH & WELLNESS SHOP
WINNER: HEALTHYWAY NATURAL FOODS MARKET
Finalists
Eden Street Salon & Day Spa
Parallel 50 Training Centre
HOBBY / CRAFT STORE
WINNER: ADVENTURE HOBBY CRAFTS
Finalists
The Rubber Room
Raven Song Soap
HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE
WINNER: PIONEER HOME HARDWARE BUILDING CENTRE
Finalists
The Home Depot
Windsor Plywood
HOTEL / RESORT
WINNER: DOLPHINS RESORT
Finalists
Comfort Inn & Suites
Anchor Inn & Suites
INSURANCE PROVIDER
WINNER: WAYPOINT INSURANCE
Finalists
HUB International
Sussex Insurance
JEWELERY STORE
WINNER: THONG’S JEWELLERY & REPAIR LTD.
Finalists
Preston Jewellers
Kampmann Jewellers
KITCHEN / BATH
WINNER: SPLASHES BATH & KITCHEN
Finalists
Gourmet Essentials
Pioneer Home Hardware Building Centre
LANDSCAPING
WINNER: DJ’S LAWN & YARD MAINTENANCE
Finalists
Sticks ‘N Stones Nursery
Ladybug Greenhouse
LIQUOR / BEER & WINE SELECTION
WINNER: JAK’S BEER WINE SPIRITS
Finalists
Merecroft Village Liquor Store
Big Rock Liquor Store
MEN’S FASHION STORE
WINNER: JIM’S CLOTHES CLOSET
Finalists
Mark’s
Boardwalk
MOVING & STORAGE
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER MOVERS
Finalists
Bekins Moving & Storage Ltd.
Ironwood Self Storage
NON PROFIT OR SERVICE GROUP
WINNER: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE CAMPBELL RIVER
Finalists
Salvation Army
Greenways Land Trust
OIL CHANGE
WINNER: GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE
Finalists
Mobil 1 Lube Express - Campbell River
North Island Lube
OPTICAL EYEWEAR
WINNER: FYI DOCTORS CAMPBELL RIVER
Finalists
Iris
Superstore
Campbell River Optometry
PET BOARDING / DAYCARE
WINNER: WISHBONE PET BOARDING
Finalists
Hounds Hangout
Healthy Hounds Adventures
PET GROOMING
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER VETERINARY HOSPITAL DOG GROOMING
Finalists
Posh Paws Grooming Salon
Flying Fur Pet Grooming
PET SUPPLY STORE
WINNER: DOGWOOD PET MART
Finalists
Woofy’s Pet Food
True Blue Pet Supplies
PHARMACY
WINNER: SHOPPERS DRUG MART
Finalists
Joe’s Pharmacy
London Drugs
PIERCING / BODY ART PARLOUR
WINNER: GOLDEN ANCHOR TATTOO
Finalists
Queen of Hearts Tattoo
Nomad Tattoo
PLACE TO GET A MANICURE
WINNER: EDEN STREET SALON & DAY SPA
Finalists
Hang’s Nail Salon
Linda’s Nails
PLACE TO GET A PEDICURE
WINNER: EDEN STREET SALON & DAY SPA
Finalists
Harbour Nails and Spa
Hang’s Nail Salon
NEW BUSINESS (TWO YEARS OR LESS)
WINNER: SESSION BISTRO & SPIN ROOM
Finalists
The Bower Store & Studio
Fresh Start Bistro
REAL ESTATE AGENCY
WINNER: ROYAL LEPAGE ADVANCE REALTY
Finalists
Remax Check Realty
Shannon Marin - Personal Real Estate Corporation
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
WINNER: ROYAL LEPAGE ADVANCE REALTY
Finalists
Veyron Properties
Broadstreet Properties Ltd. Head Office
RECYCLING
WINNER: ISLAND RETURN IT CAMPBELL RIVER
Finalists
Habitat for Humanity ReStore Campbell River
ABC Recycling
SECOND HAND STORE
WINNER: SALVATION ARMY
Finalists
Hospital Thrift Shop
Transitions Store
Habitat for Humanity ReStore Campbell River
SHOE STORE
WINNER: QUEST SHOES & CLOTHING
Finalists
Sports Experts
Spinners Sports
SPA
WINNER: EDEN STREET SALON & DAY SPA
Finalists
Sage Spa
SPORTING GOODS STORE
WINNER: SPORTS EXPERTS
Finalists
River Sportsman
Tyee Marine Fishing Hunting & Outdoors
SPORTS FACILITY
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER SPORTSPLEX
Finalists
Strathcona Gardens Recreation Complex
Lady Fit
THRIFT STORE
WINNER: HOSPITAL THRIFT SHOP
Finalists
Salvation Army
Second To None Hospice Thrift Store
TRAVEL AGENCY
WINNER: THE TRAVEL PLACE
Finalists
Island Fever Travel & Cruise
Vision Travel
U-BREW / WINE MAKER
WINNER: WILLOW POINT WINES U-VIN
Finalists
Wine With Us
VETERINARIAN CLINIC
WINNER: COASTLAND VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Finalists
Campbell River Veterinary Hospital
Dogwood Veterinary Hospital
WOMEN’S FASHION STORE
WINNER: RAGDOLZ FASHIONS
Finalists
Reitmans
Quest Shoes & Clothing
ARTIST
WINNER: RAYMOND SHAW
WINNER: DAYNA DOWNEY, Sea Star Studio
WINNER: DOUG FOLKINS
CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT
WINNER: STRATHCONA GARDENS
Finalists
Fiddlesticks The Clown
Shoo Shoo The Clown
CRAFT FAIR
WINNER: TOY & CRAFT SHOW AND SALE
Finalists
Fair Trade Market, at Timberline
Pier Street Market, at the Pier
DANCE SCHOOL
WINNER: CR DANCEXTREME INC.
WINNER: STUDIO NORTH DANCE ACADEMY
Finalists
Urban Dance Connections
LOCAL FREE EVENT
WINNER: SPIRIT SQUARE CONCERTS
Finalists
Canada Day Fireworks
Chalk Festival
LOCAL KIDS EVENT
WINNER: CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TRUCK PARADE
Finalist
Salmon Fest
LOCAL PAID EVENT
WINNER: LOGGER SPORTS/HIGHLAND GATHERING
Finalists
Tidemark Theatre
Storm Game
PERFORMANCE - MUSICAL SHOW
WINNER: TIME WELL WASTED
Finalists
Nutcracker
Orontes Guitar Quartet
PERFORMANCE - THEATRE SHOW
WINNER: SHIRLEY VALENTINE
Finalists
The Nutcracker by River-Port Danceworks Ltd.
Pure Petty
ADVENTURE TOUR COMPANY
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER WHALE WATCHING AND ADVENTURE TOURS
Finalists
Discovery Marine Safaris
Aboriginal Journeys
BIKE TRAIL
WINNER: BEAVER LODGE LANDS
Finalists
Snowden Trails
Radar Hill
FISHING CHARTER
WINNER: COASTAL WILDERNESS ADVENTURES
Finalists
Painter’s Lodge
Black Beard Fishing Charters
GOLF COURSE
WINNER: STOREY CREEK GOLF CLUB
Finalists
Campbell River Golf & Country Club
Saratoga Beach Golf Course
GYM/FITNESS STUDIO
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER SPORTSPLEX
Finalists
Heart and Soul Muay Thai
Session Bistro & Spin Room
LOCAL SPORTS TEAM
WINNER: CAMPBELL RIVER STORM
Finalists
Team Bastian at Heart & Soul Muay Thai
River Spirit Dragon Boat Team
MARTIAL ARTS CENTRE
WINNER: PARALLEL 50 TRAINING CENTRE
Finalists
Heart and Soul Muay Thai
Pure Martial Arts & Fitness
PERSONAL TRAINER
WINNER: SALLY FEAST
Finalists
Robyn Smalley, Heart Strong Fitness
Sandra Bastian
PLACE TO WALK YOUR DOG
WINNER: BEAVER LODGE LANDS
Finalists
The Tyee Spit
Seawalk
RACE / MARATHON
WINNER: MIRACLE BEACH 10K
Finalists
Kusam Klimb
Run the Spit
SWIMMING HOLE
WINNER: MCIVOR LAKE
Finalists
Quinsam Pot Holes
Oyster River Potholes
YOGA
WINNER: OCEAN MOUNTAIN YOGA
Finalists
Campbell River Sportsplex
Cindy Leech
CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT
WINNER: KYLE MATTHEWS
Finalists
Cathy Laverdure
Shelly Boates
CHIROPRACTOR
WINNER: DR. J. WEST, DISCOVERY CHIROPRACTIC
Finalists
Dr. Richard Cronk
Dr. David Audia
CONTRACTOR
WINNER: DEAD ON DEVELOPMENT
Finalists
Ashdown Construction
DHW
DENTIST
WINNER: DR. MIKE FINN, DOGWOOD DENTAL
Finalists
Dr. Cory Seabach, Beyond Beautiful Smiles
Dr. Christine Hildebrand, Fresh Dental
ELECTRICIAN
WINNER: WIRED ELECTRICAL AND DESIGN
Finalists
Peak Power Electric
Apple Electric
FUNERAL DIRECTOR
WINNER: ANDREA HARPER, SUTTONS
Finalists
Jenn Wells, Boyd’s Funeral
Danny Munro
GRAPHIC / WEB DESIGNER
WINNER: LUCILLA GIROTTO - FACILE WEB & GRAPHIC
Finalists
Keith Plamondon, Epic Design Studio
Wendy Tschoumy, Quality DeSigns
HOME APPRAISER / INSPECTOR
WINNER: GARY DRY, CLARITY HOME INSPECTIONS
Finalists
Jordana Holmes
Robert Grimmer, RBC
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
WINNER: GLEN CLARK, IG WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Finalists
Darlene Garat, Garat Financial Group
Joe Crawshaw, Hollis Wealth
LANDSCAPER
WINNER: CLAY NOR LAWN CARE
Finalists
Adam Cote, Adam’s Tree Service
Paul Skuse, Sticks ‘N Stones Nursery
LAWYER
WINNER: JAY HAVALAAR
Finalists
Stephen Frame
Stewart Carstairs
MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL
WINNER: DAVID ROBERTSON, RBC ROYAL BANK
Finalists
Jill Cook, The Mortgage Centre
Rob Fuccenecco, The Mortgage Centre
MUSIC TEACHER
WINNER: GRANT MCLELLAN
Finalists
Kolya Kowalchuk
David Johnson
NOTARY
WINNER: GURDEEP SIDHU
Finalists
Joanne Johnson
D’Arcy Frankland
PAINTER
WINNER: ARNIE’S PAINTING
Finalists
Brown Brothers
Terry Scott
PHOTOGRAPHER
WINNER: ERIN WALLIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Finalists
Bluetree Photography
Ingrid Thomas
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
WINNER: SOPHIA SAUTER
Finalists
Jon Bell
Darcy Lawley
PLUMBING / HEATING
WINNER: ED ROSSE
Finalists
Willow Point Plumbing
Hi-Limit Plumbing and Heating
REALTOR
WINNER: KELSEY WHITE
Finalists
Anita Painter
Brandon May
REALTOR TEAM
WINNER: SHORELINE REAL ESTATE TEAMMARK
RANNIGER & DEANNA COLLINS
Finalists
Anita Painter & Associates
Amy and Paul Axon
REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST
WINNER: JASON PECK, RMT
Finalists
Lara Boucher, RMT
Denise Vowles-Bieglar, RMT
TECH SUPPORT PERSON
WINNER: IZCO TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Finalists
Dave Shook, Odyssey Computers
NorthRock Tech
VETERINARIAN
WINNER: DR. PETER WOODWARD, CAMPBELL RIVER VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Finalists
Dr. Richelle Kendall, Coastland Veterinary Hospital
Dr. Kate Wood, Coastland Vet