The Green Bean Coffee House in Morinville was never meant as more than a place to sell Douglas Adsit's Cuban coffee brand, never mind winning a business award.
Three years ago, the former Sheraton and Sorrentino's chef thought the best way to get a new product on the market was to open a bistro.
Little did he expect that the café and bistro, now serving up lunch sandwiches and pasta buffets, would take off amongst coffee lovers and foodies alike, leaving Adsit to consider a second location in nearby St. Albert.
To top it all off, he won the Small Business of the Year award at last week's gala in Morinville.
"It was wonderful," said Adsit. "I give most of the credit to my staff. You can't do it without your employees."
Awards night
The annual Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce's Business Awards gala was a full success, said Chamber officials. This year, the chamber sold 160 tickets, topping off previous years.
Running under the banner of "An Evening in Paris", the gala celebrated Morinville business. Awards of the Year were presented to a small, medium, large, home-based and non-profit business.
In a previous interview, chamber president Simon Boersma said the evening not only allows businesses to get together.
It also gives a good scope of what's happening in the community and what people appreciate about Morinville business, he said.
"The evening gives back to the business community but it also allows us to let our hair down a bit, it lets us have some time together," he said.
This year's Medium Business award was presented to Smith Music, while Morinville Capital Vision Care took home the Large Business award.
H&R Block/Morinville Business Centre received this year's Legacy Award. The award is presented annually to a long-term business that has provided exceptional community service.
The Home Based Business award went to Crackmasters. Non-Profit Group of the Year is the Midstream Support Society.
Servus Credit Union won the Community Service and Involvement award, while former councillor Sheldon Fingler was recipient of the Chamber's Volunteer of the Year award. Alyssa Short received the Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit award.
The Chamber also gave out milestone plaques to recognize years of membership.
Five-year awards were presented to Fair Accounting & Tax Services, Syzygy Research & Technology, Wagging Tails Pet Resort & RV Storage and The Morinville News.
Ten-year awards went to Sturgeon School Division and Dance Connection, 15-year awards to the Sturgeon Foundation, a 25-year award to the H & R Block/Morinville Business Centre, and a 30-year award to Flynn Bros. Projects.
The 35-year award was presented to Morinville Scotiabank.
