OLDS — Sim’s Furniture & Bedding is the 2024 Olds & District Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.
The company was one of eight local businesses that received awards during the chamber of commerce's annual Small Business Awards gala, held Oct. 24 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104.
Other winners were: President’s Award – Mike Toomey of Canadian Tire, People’s Choice Award – Dunrite Printing Services, Best New Business of the Year – Aurora Golf, Innovation Award – Emprise Canada, Community Spirit Award – Brian Gardner Custom Homes, Exceptional Customer Service Award – Sandy Bearchell, Youth Employee of the Year – Grace Williamson of the Olds Golf Club.
Cory Noel and Sheldon Button of Vista Radio introduced the nominees.
About 140 people attended the event. So many showed up that a few extra tables had to be set up.
Business of the Year
Noel said Sim’s was praised not only for exceptional customer service, but also for supporting the Olds Grizzlys, minor hockey and other not-for-profit groups in the community.
“We are very lucky to have this business in our community,” Noel said.
“It’s a great honour to be named Business of the Year,” owner Lyle Blatz said during an interview with the Albertan.
“I mean, we work very hard at the store to have customer service, to supply a great product to the Olds and area, the county of Mountain View.”
Blatz said he started working at Sim’s back in about 1976 when he was 16 years old and never looked back, rising all the way to his current position.
Blatz admitted that over the years, there have been ups and downs, but that’s the same for other businesses.
He said he was just “bitten” by the business.
“I said over the years I don’t know if I’m really smart or really stupid for doing what I did; starting from the floor up and staying there or should I have vacated years ago and done something different,” he said jokingly.
Community Spirit Award
Noel said Brian Gardner is “using his skills to provide the community with an emergency shelter: Kirsten’s Place, for those impacted by domestic violence, while honouring the memory of his daughter Kirsten.”
That sparked long, loud applause.
Gardner said good progress is being made on Kirsten’s Place, but he doesn’t anticipate the project being completed until the new year.
People’s Choice Award
“Dunrite Printing are always friendly and they get the job done quickly,” Noel said, adding staff are “always friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable.”
Exceptional Customer Service Award
Winners for each month, dating back to last November, were read out. In the end, Sandy Bearchell of Feather Dental Hygiene received the award.
Best New Business
Noel said Aurora Golf Olds was started by Tim Hollman who decided to start his own business after playing virtual golf in Red Deer.
“He started brainstorming and scoping out possible locations and began the build-out once the plan was in place,” Noel said.
“They had many options, but wanted to go (with) the absolute top quality simulators and the most realistic golf available for maximum enjoyment.
“Immediately upon opening, the weekends were fully booked and continued throughout the winter 2023 season. They ran a 13-week league that saw 70 players sign up in the first season.”
Innovation Award
Button described Emprise Canada as a premier cannabis company based in Olds.
“They compete coast to coast with large multi-billion-dollar companies with their manufactured products,” he said.
“They’ve grown from just a few employees in 2020 to a team of 12 this year. They’re going to continue to grow further too.
“And with the largest portfolio of cannabis-infused products in Canada, they’re on a mission to disrupt the cannabis product industry.
“They’re looking to become a global supplier of cannabis-infused health, wellness and lifestyle products.”
President’s Award
Olds & District Chamber of Commerce President Doug Rieberger praised Mike Tomey of Canadian Tire Olds and the franchise’s owners Mike and Lesia Asaris for being heavily involved in the community, including the chamber itself.
“If there’s a worthy cause, it seems Mike and his colleagues always lend a helping hand,” he said.
Youth Employee of the Year
Button called Grace Williamson “a tremendous asset to the Old Golf Club.”
“They appreciate her consistent effort, her hard work and determination that make the Olds Golf Club a better place to work and play,” he said.
Williamson was unable to attend the event so Christian Walker accepted it on her behalf.
President’s address
Rieberger thanked all those who came to the event and those who helped organize it.
He noted that Small Business Awards Committee chair Murray Elliott and his fellow committee members work year ‘round to organize the various events the chamber holds.
Rieberger cited some 2023 statistics on the impact of small businesses.
“Ninety-seven per cent of all businesses in Canada are small businesses. That accounts for just about 70 per cent of our workforce,” he said. “In Alberta, 50 per cent of the businesses are one to four employees.”
Rieberger said “pretty much 100 per cent” of the people who attended the awards evening run or work for small businesses.
“So give yourself a pat on the back because we are the economic engine of Canada,” he said to strong applause.
Mayor's address
Mayor Judy Dahl and town councillors were also in attendance.
Dahl said council acknowledged and paid tribute to all small businesses, organizations and their employees for “your courage to endure entrepreneurial ventures with the pressures of our Alberta economy. We are proud to support you.
“We applaud the achievements and growth of all businesses and acknowledge that you are the connection to the people,” she added.
“To the volunteers who organized this event, we salute you, each and every one of you.
“To all the businesses, the council and community wish you and your family great success as you continue to be part of today, tomorrow and into the future.”
