The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce recognized local businesses and community leaders during the 2025 Evening of Excellence, held Friday, Oct. 24, at Key City Theatre.
The annual awards highlight business achievement, entrepreneurship and community involvement.
According to the Chamber, more than 120 nominations were submitted across 15 categories.
The late Robert “Bob” Whetham was posthumously named Citizen of the Year, an honour recognizing individuals who go above and beyond in service to the community through volunteerism, leadership and civic contribution.
Paul Jovanovic, owner of Kootenay Tailor Shop, received the Business Legacy Award, recognizing his 36 years of service in Cranbrook.
A master tailor since 1982, Jovanovic moved to Cranbrook in 1989 and has since become a key figure in the business community.
In total, 18 awards were presented to recognize excellence across Cranbrook’s business community:
- Cranbrook Chamber Education Grants
Recipients: Ashley Mainville; Kayte Wik - Business Legacy Award
Recipient: Paul Jovanovic – Kootenay Tailor Shop - New Business of the Year
Recipient: Out Of The Woods Home Inspection - Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Recipient: Emily Popoff – Talking Helps Heal Kootenays - Inclusive Employer of the Year
Recipient: Ground Floor Coworking Space - Age-Friendly Business of the Year
Recipient: Kootenay Ramps & Access - Arts & Culture Excellence
Recipient: Cranbrook Arts - Customer Service Excellence
Recipient: Meraki Mechanical - Culinary Excellence Award
Recipient: The Baker89 - Tourism Excellence Award
Recipient: Cranbrook Golf - Retail Excellence
Recipient: Huckleberry Books - Professional Services Excellence
Recipient: Silver Path Financial Solutions - Business-to-Business Excellence
Recipient: StratIS Group - Non-Profit Organization of the Year
Recipient: Community Connections Society of Southeast BC - Business of the Year (1–15 Employees)
Recipient: The Studio Spin Barre Yoga Ltd. - Business of the Year (16+ Employees)
Recipient: Apex Accounting - Business Person of the Year
Recipient: Ted Murrell – Save-On-Foods
For the complete list of finalists, visit “Finalists Announced for 2025 Cranbrook Business Excellence Awards” on 102.9 Rewind Radio – East Kootenay.
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