It's been another brutal year for most businesses in Olds and area, but you wouldn't have known that if you wandered into Our Flames Lounge the evening of Thursday, Sept. 19.
The place was packed and downright noisy as business owners and their staff and friends gathered for the annual Business, Beer and Blue Jeans event.
The informal get-together which features snacks and -- yes, a fair bit of beer and other drinks -- is the kickoff for the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Recognition and Celebrations. Nominees in various categories are unveiled.
This year's business awards gala will be held Oct. 17 at the Olds College Alumni Centre. The theme is Open For Business.
Thirty-two businesses are nominated for various awards and three young people are in the running for Youth Employee of the Year. Roughly 70 individuals and employee teams are vying for the Exceptional Customer Service award.
There's even a new category this year — the President's Choice award.
It's encouraging to see that even in an economy as dire as this one, local business people and employees are still providing such quality service.
