The New Westminster Chamber of Commerce and Douglas College are shining a spotlight on outstanding local businesses and citizens.
The chamber of commerce and the college presented the 2019 Platinum Awards, which celebrate business and community excellence in New Westminster. Nominees in more than a dozen categories gathered at the Starlight Casino for Wednesday night’s awards dinner.
More than 40 local residents and businesses were nominated for Platinum Awards. Here are this year’s winners:
* Artist of the Year: Cassius Khan and Amika Kushwaha
* Bernie Legge Cultural Award: Susan Greig
* Business of the Year: Piva Modern Italian
* Business Person of the Year: Ron Boorman
* Citizen of the Year: Lorrie Williams
* Corporate Community Spirit: 100 Braid Street Studios and Gallery
* Customer Service Excellence: Kleiner Services Inc.
* Entrepreneur of the Year Under 40: Jolene Foreman
* Green Business of the Year: Amaranthus Restaurant
* Home-Based Business of the Year: Daxio Design
* Innovator of the Year: Alejandro Diaz
* Lifetime Achievement Award: Massey Theatre
* New Business of the Year: Bruncheria Café
* Not-for-Profit of the Year: Queen’s Park Healthcare Foundation
While the ceremony was a special night for all nominees, it was a particularly big night for two local residents, who each took home two awards.
Susan Greig, an artist who opened 100 Braid Street Studios in June 2014, received the Bernie Legge Cultural Award. Braid Street Studios and Gallery also won in the Corporate Community Spirit category.
Alejandro, owner of El Santo and Amaranthus restaurants in Downtown New West, was named Innovator of the Year. Amaranthus, a plant-based restaurant that opened in River Market earlier this year, claimed the Green Business of the Year award.
