The Township is pleased to announce that 31 Rideau Lakes businesses have been nominated for the Business Recognition Awards, with 167 nominations received.

In 2025, the Township is working with three event sponsors to shine the light on local employers, business owners and entrepreneurs that make a difference. A special thank you to G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Ltd., KPMG MSLP, and RBC Royal Bank of Canada for their incredible support of the local business community and their sponsorship of the ninth annual Rideau Lakes Business Recognition Program.

“The Township of Rideau Lakes is very pleased to see this level of participation in the Awards program. It really helps us to recognize and celebrate the work of local business that contribute to the strength of our communities” remarked Economic Development Committee Chairperson, Councillor Marcia Maxwell.

Rideau Lakes Businesses Nominated for the Business Recognition Awards:

There are three award categories, the Business of the Year Award, the Small Business Award, and the New Business Award. The nominees are listed below in alphabetical order.

Business of the Year– 13 Nominees

• Baker's Feed Store Ltd.
• Camp Otterdale Ltd.
• Clearly Auto Glass
• Lens Cove Marina
• Lynn Brothers Construction
• Madden & Company Tree Service
• McMullan Appliance & Mattress
• Paw-Fect Pet Sitting By Liv
• Recess Café
• Rideau Lakes Building Centre
• Stone Manor Studios
• Stoodley’s Kitchen and Beverage
• The Tipped Ship

Small Business Award – 22 Nominees

• Baker & Son Tire Repair
• Bastard Coffee House
• Clearly Auto Glass
• Countryside Elegance
• Extreme Landscape and Construction
• Graham’s Mobile RV Repair
• Howling Hideaway Grooming and Kennels
• Just Like Home Doggie Daycare
• Kim Ethier Massage & Sport Therapy
• Lost Woods Farm
• Nature’s Magic Photography
• Newboro Lawn & Garden
• Newboro Soap Company
• Paw-Fect Pet Sitting by Liv
• Phoenix Rising Equestrian Centre
• Project Wakesurf
• Recess Café
• Stealing the Bloom Farm Tours and Barnyard Zoo
• Stone Manor Studios
• Stoodley’s Kitchen and Beverage
• Suzette's Hair Shop
• The Tipped Ship

New Business Award – 9 Nominees

• Clearly Auto Glass
• Elgin Auctions
• Go Fudge Yourself
• Graham's Mobile RV Repair
• Paw-Fect Pet Sitting-By Liv
• Recess Café
• Stealing the Bloom Farm Tours and Barnyard Zoo
• Stone Manor Studios
• Stoodley’s Kitchen and Beverage

This year’s nominees will be celebrated, and winners will be announced at the Business Awards Breakfast, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Elgin Lions Community Hall from 8 to 10 a.m. Registration is required. For more information, visit rideaulakes.ca/awards or contact Marie White at 1-800-928-2250 ext. 288.

Previous Winners:

Business of the Year 

Recognizes a business operating within the Township of Rideau Lakes that has demonstrated a commitment to the community and its residents, while displaying strong ethics within the business and society.

Winners
2023:  Rideau Carpentry and Construction
2022:  Wills Transfer Limited
2021:  Sunnyside Family Retreat
2020:  Wendy's Country Market
2019:  Gordanier Freshmart
2018:  Hinton Auto Group
2017:  The Opinicon
2016:  Country Roads Community Health Centre

Small Business Award

This award acknowledges businesses with 5 or fewer employees including the owner(s) and home-based businesses that have demonstrated qualities such as professional integrity, excellence in customer service, success through innovation and a commitment to the community. From 2016 to 2022, this category was called the "Business Innovation Award."

Winners
2023:  Recess Cafe 
2022:  Elgin Bowling Lanes
2021:  Gordanier Freshmart
2020:  No.9 Gardens
2019:  Miller’s Bay Farm
2018:  Elgin & District Co-operative Nursery School
2017:  Smiths Falls Veterinary Services
2016:   2Low Inc 

Young Entrepreneur

Honours the hard work demonstrated by a young entrepreneur (under 35) who either resides, operates an active business, or grew up primarily in the Township.

Winners
2023:  Stoodley's Kitchen and Beverage (Kodi and Jess White)
2022:  Bastard Coffee House (Tao Hipwell)
2021:  Arctic Acres (Ben Canning)
2019:  Rideau Roots (Corey Evans)
2018:  Hales Excavation and Trucking (Mark Hales)
2017:  Bastard Baking Company (Stefanie Dobson)
2016:  Scott Blair Construction (Scott Blair)

For more information: RideauLakes.ca/awards