Merritt Herald People's Choice Awards 2023 by Merritt Herald

A14 THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 www.merrittherald.com People’s Choice Awards 2023 Published bythe MerrittHerald and participating businesses. SeePage20&21 Forfulllistofwinners PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD

THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 A15 www.merrittherald.com 250-378-9777 2525 Nicola Ave, Merritt BEST PRICES IN THE VALLEY Featuring ✷ Gas & Diesel ✷ Auto Propane ✷ Propane Tanks & Refills ✷ Lottery ✷ Firewood & Ice ✷ Coffee, Snacks, & Drinks ✷ Fresh Subs, Sandwiches, Wraps & Samosas ✷ Music CDs & Cellphone accessories ✷ Ice Cream & Slushies ✷ Live Fishing Bait ✷ Automotives ✷ Health & Beauty ✷ Clothing and much more Super Save Gas Best Manager Best Business Under 10 Employees Thank You Merri for voting for us in the 2023 Merri Herald’s People’s Choice Awards. We would like to thank all our customers for their support and patronage over the years. PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD BEST Convenience Store BEST Manager Akash Nijjar BEST Gas Station BEST Customer Service BEST Business Owner Akash Nijjar BEST Overall Business (Under 10 employees) BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Hours Mon to Friday - 5 am to 11 pm Saturday & Sunday - 6 am to 11 pm

A16 THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 www.merrittherald.com PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS 250-378-2229 GREAT DEALS NO DUI’s P E O P L E ’ S 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Liquor Store #3-3623 DeWolf Way - Up The Hill C o l d B e e r & Wi n e S t o r e ON THE BENCH M e r r i t t L i q u o r , for voting us the BEST LIQUOR STORE for 3 consecutive years. We look forward to serving you in the future! MERRITT Thank You Thank you for your vote!! Your suppor t is what makes us who we are today Thank you from all us down at Miss Vicki’s. Hope to see you soon! • Corsages • Arrangements • Bouquets • Potted Plants We are so much more than a flower shop! We are a gift shop too! So for 1 Stop Shopping pop in and see what the local folks are up to! 250-378-5575 1974 Quilchena Avenue - Merritt, BC P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Unique Business Remember to preorder your Thanksgiving Arrangements ALL FOOD NO MSG We Cater for any Special Occasions • Licensed Premises 3581 Voght St., Merritt Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11 am to 9 pm & Monday: 3 pm to 9 pm We are pleased to have been voted Best Chinese Food for 6 years. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the years. We look forward to serving you in the future THANK YOU P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD BEST CHINESE FOOD

THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 A17 www.merrittherald.com PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS LEGACY 250-280-0994 112 1700 Garcia Street Box 2257 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 THANK YOU Merritt and Nicola Valley! P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD BEST REALTOR THANK THE C OMMUNIT Y The Matt hias f amily has been in Mer r itt for over 50 years & continues to be a proud par t of our community Nicola Plumbing & Heating has ser ved our community as a family r un business since 1982 We hope you will give us a call for your plumbing, heating, gas ﬁt ting & sheet metal needs We will continue to of f er t he same quality wor kmanship t hat we have given for over 40 years f or voting us People’s Choice Best Plumbing Com pany, ﬁve years in row. P E O P L E S Merritt Herald 2020 People’s Choice AWARD Best Plumbing Company P E O P L E S Merritt Herald 2021 People’s Choice AWARD Best Plumbing Company P E O P L E S Merritt Herald 2019 People’s Choice AWARD Best Plumbing Company P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2022 People’s Choice AWARD Best Plumbing Company P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Plumbing Company Phone: 250-378-4943 2064 Coutlee Ave., P.O. Box 2999 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8 email: nicplumb@telus.net WE SERVICE: Residential, Commercial & Light Industrial g g Nicola Plumbing and Heating Gas Contractor Lic# LGA002534 250-378-4618 • 2099 Garcia St., Merritt, BC www.facebook.com/GrandPubGrill HOURS: 11:30 AM TO 10 PM DAILY Your Hometown Hospitality Specialists FULL MENU - JR/SR MENU OPTIONS 9 TAPS & ‘GRAND’ SELECTION OF WINE & BOTTLED BEER GOOD FOOD, GOOD SERVICE, GRAND TIMES! P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Wings Thank You Merritt for voting us Best Wings

A18 THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 www.merrittherald.com PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS NEW PATIENTS & WALK-INS WELCOME! 2731 Forksdale Ave., Merritt 250-378-4888 DENTISTRY@MERRITT Family Dental Care from professionals you can trust WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE BEEN VOTED AGAIN AS MERRITT’S BEST DENTAL OFFICE! We understand a visit to the dentist can be stressful, which is why we always aim to provide the best treatment as possible with the least amount of angst. Being a family oriented practice, we put great value into the treatment and care of your loved ones and we appreciate the trust you have put into us. From all of us to all of you, THANK YOU! PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Dental Office Tel: 1-250-809-7031 tyler@getsett.ca • www.getsett.ca P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD BEST ELECTRICAL COMPANY SETT Electrical is proudly Indigenous owned, serving Nicola Valley and the Southern Interior. We are honoured to be the recipients of the 2023 People’s Choice Award for the best electrical company! We appreciate all your support and business and we look forward to continuing to serve you with your electrical needs. 250.378.5634 | INFO@MERRITTCHAMBER.COM CONGR ATUL ATIONS TO ALL THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNERS!

THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 A19 www.merrittherald.com PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS THANK YOU to our loyal customers! Our locally owned business has been voted Best Pharmacy again for 6 consecutive years 2037 Quilchena Ave. Merritt, BC 250-378-2155 FREE Deliver y in Merritt P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2020 People’s Choice AWARD BEST PHARMACY BEST BUSINESS OVERALL UNDER 10 EMPLOYEES Merritt Herald People’s Choice AWARD 2018 Winner BEST PHARMACY P E O P L E S Merritt Herald 2019 People’s Choice AWARD BEST PHARMACY P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2021 People’s Choice AWARD BEST PHARMACY P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2022 People’s Choice AWARD BEST PHARMACY P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD BEST PHARMACY THANK YOU MERRITT! OMPANY IN MERRITT PEOP LE’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Welding Company 1750 Hill Street, Merrit t 250-378-4332 “YOU BRE AK IT, WE’LL FIX IT.” Barry would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Merritt for supporting the family business since 1967. After 31 years in business, Barry is ﬁnally retiring. Barry is proud to welcome Challen (his nephew) as the new owner of Jackson’s Welding. Challen is looking forward to continuing to provide the citizens of Merritt with the same professional business model as his family has in the past. 122 – 1700 Garcia St. in the Railyard Mall Hub International Insurance Brokers is Very Proud of our Client Service Team They truly are THE BEST International Insurance Brokers Let us review all your options and assist you in making an informed insurance decision. (250) 378-5147 P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD BEST INSURANCE OFFICE 6 years in a row

The Winners are:

ACCOUNTANT / BOOKKEEPER

Carrie Ware & Company Inc.

AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS

Purity Farm, Garden & Pet

AUTO PARTS STORE

Lordco Auto Parts

AUTO REPAIR SHOP

DCS Auto

BREAKFAST

Home Restaurant Merritt

BUILDING CONTRACTOR

Caleo Construction

BUILDING SUPPLY COMPANY

Home Hardware Building Centre

BURGER

A&W

BUTCHER

Lower Nicola Meats

CANNABIS RETAILER

Unity Cannabis Store

CATERING COMPANY

Nicola Valley Graze Box

CHINESE FOOD

Canada Cafe

CLOTHING STORE Fields

CLUB ORGANIZATION

Nicola Valley 4H Club

COACH - 4 way tie

Nicole McKay-Smith, Erin Peters, Jen Van Leeuwen, Mario Celella

COFFEE SHOP

Mandolin’s Bagel & Coffee House

COLD BEER WINE / LIQUOR STORE

Merritt Liquor Store

CONVENIENCE STORE

Super Save Gas

COOK

Dave Farrell -

Game On Sports Bar & Grill

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Super Save Gas

DAYCARE

White Bear Daycare

DENTIST OFFICE

Dentistry @ Merritt

DESSERT

Home Restaurant Merritt

DOCTOR

Dr. McLeod

DOG GROOMER

Fetch Dog Grooming

ELECTRICAL COMPANY

Sett Electrical

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

Interior Savings

Credit Union

FITNESS FACILITY

Beyond Fitness

GAS STATION

Super Save Gas

GROCERY STORE

Save-On Foods

HAIR DRESSER

Julie Bosman

HAIR SALON

The Social Lounge

HOME BASED BUSINESS

Nicola Valley Graze Box

HOTEL / MOTEL

Best Western Plus

INSURANCE OFFICE

Hub Barton Insurance

LANDSCAPING COMPANY

Little Steps Landscaping

LOCAL ARTIST - 6 way tie

Bobby Garcia, Herta Klassen, Colby Kirk, Shirley Reynolds, Bev Veale, Cassandra Dolan

LOCAL BAND/MUSICIAN

Bobby Garcia

LOCAL EVENT

Music in the Park

LOGGING COMPANY

Triple G

MANAGER

Akash Nijjar - Super Save Gas

MASSAGE OFFICE

The Point Holistic Healing

MECHANIC

Sean Paterson - DSC

NAIL TECHNICIAN

Shelby Anderson

A20 THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 www.merrittherald.com

PEOPLE’S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Tumbleweed

OPTICAL BUSINESS

Sun Country Optical

PERSONAL TRAINER

Alyssa Theodore

PHARMACY STORE

Black’s Pharmacy

PHOTOGRAPHY

Round Mountain Photography

PIZZA

Yaki Joe’s Pizza

PLUMBING COMP.

Nicola Plumbing & Heating

PUB / BAR Game On Sports Bar & Grill

REAL ESTATE COMP. RE/MAX Legacy

REALTOR Val KynochRE/MAX Legacy

RECEPTIONIST

Kaite Huber

RESTAURANT Cocos Restaurant

SANDWICH Game On Sports Bar & Grill

SENIORS HOME Gillis House SERVER

Lisa Westervelt - Game On Sports Bar & Grill

SOUP Game On Sports Bar & Grill

SPA Mellah Leuca Day Spa

STEAK

Mr. Mike’s

STORAGE FACILITY

R. Hack Mini Storage

SUSHI Cocos Restaurant

TATTOO STUDIO

Mom’s Tattoo

TEACHER / EDUCATORELEMENTARY

Mrs. Markland

TEACHER / EDUCATOR - HIGH SCHOOL

David Finch - MSS

TIRE SHOP

Kal Tire

UNIQUE BUSINESS

Miss Vicki’s Petals & Plants

VETERINARIAN

Paul Molnar

VOLUNTEER

Susan Doncaster

WELDING COMPANY

Jackson Welding

WINGS Grand Pub & Grill

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Super Save Gas

BUSINESS OWNER Akash - Super Save Gas

BUSINESS OVERALL - Under 10 Employees Game On Sports Bar & Grill

BUSINESS OVERALL - Over 10 Employees Super Save Gas

NEW BUSINESS Pizza Hut

THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 A21 www.merrittherald.com

MERRIT T’S only SPORTS BAR! Like 250- 315-1022 • 3701 De Wolf Way, Merritt (Take Exit 290 Off Hwy 5) W e t hank yo u for yo u r su pport and lo ok for ward to co ntin uing to pro vi de amazing fo o d and ser vice! open 11:00 a.m. 7 days a week Sports Bar Grill COME IN AND TRY OUR FAMOUS HOME-MADE MEALS P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD 6 Awards Jim and all the s taff at Gam e o n Pub, wo u ld like to thank all the people of Mer r itt w ho vote d for u s in the Mer r itt Herald’s People’s C ho ice Award s. Thanks to yo ur vote s Gam e On Sports Bar and Pub wo n six award s inclu d ing Be s t Pub/Bar, Be s t Sandw ich and Be s t So up, Be s t Co ok - Dave Far rell, Be s t Ser ver - Lisa We s ter velt, We are e specially pro u d of the award for Be s t Bu sine ss Overall (o ver 10 employee s).

The management and staff of DCS Auto w ould lik e to thank all Mer ritt and area customer s for selecting them as Best Auto Repair Shop and Best Mechanic Shaw n Pater son. For ov er 37 y ear s DCS Auto has been there to ser v e y ou and w e look forward to many more.

wonderful feeling. I would like to thank my wife Sonya and my two boys Austin and Colby for their continued suppor t

A22 THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 www.merrittherald.com PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD PL ANN ING AN EVENT, CONTACT US FOR CATERING INFO Phone: 250 - 574 -2792 e - mail: valleygraze box@outlook .com Locals Supporting Locals Be st Cate ring Company Be st Home Base d Busine ss LOCALLY CURATED CHARCUTERIE BOXES for all occasions, gif ts, staf f me etings and ever yday cele brations. We pride ourselves in using local products in everything we make DCS provides a full line of mechanical ser vices

P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Auto Repair Shop Best Mechanic Thank you for this wonderful award! I am beyond excited and honoured to be chosen as Merritt ’s Best Local Musician and Best Local Ar tist. There is a lot of awesome and talented musicians in Merritt, so to be chosen by Merritt is a

Spotify. THANK YOU MERRITT from Bobby Garcia

P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Local Musician & Ar tist 2190 Voght St Unit B, Merr itt (250) 378-5154 yakijoesmerr itt.com P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Thank You Merritt for Selecting us Best Pizza in Merritt Featur ing: Daily Lunch Specials • Online order ing • Pizza • Calzones • Donairs • Subs and more Best Pizza

To all my fans that have suppor ted me over the years by coming to my shows and buying my albums your continued suppor t makes me do what I do! Look for Bobby’s albums, THESE BOOTS and WHEN I THINK ABOUT US, throughout the city or go to

Thanks again Merritt

THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 A23 www.merrittherald.com PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS Chartered Professional Accountant Firm P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Accountant Bookkeepers Carrie Ware & Company Inc would like to thank the Merritt and area community for voting us the Best Accountant/Bookkeepers for the 2023 People’s Choice Award. We could not have done this without my truly amazing team who works here at Carrie Ware & Company Inc. Our team constantly goes above and beyond for our clients and each one has directly impacted the success of Carrie Ware & Company Inc. Without my team, we would not be able to provide such great service to our clients We appreciate the honour and look forward to serving you in the same professional manner in the 2032 Quilchena Avenue • 250-378-2215 Email: reception@car rieware.ca 1901 Quilchena Avenue Merritt, BC 250-378-0307 HOURS Monday-Thursday 6am - 9pm Friday 6am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday & Stat Holidays 10am - 4pm ARE YOU READY TO ACHIEVE YOUR FITNESS GOALS? Welcome to our state-of-the-art fitness facility, featuring the most up-to-date equipment with lots of room to enjoy your workout Two floors with close to 9000 sqft for all your workout needs Memberships starting at just $34.99/month. We also have personal training, tanning, a huge selection of supplements, a smoothie bar, and ALL classes are INCLUDED in your membership! THANK YOU MERRITT for voting Beyond Fitness for Best Fitness Facility P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Fitness Facity WE ARE YOUR ONE STOP FOR ALL YOUR FITNESS NEEDS. Come in and see us today! 1 7 0 1 Vo g h t S t . , M e r r i t t , B . C . w w w. m e r r i t t h o m e h a r d w a r e . c a 2 5 0 - 3 7 8 - 4 2 1 5 Thank You P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Merritt for voting us Best Building Supply Company for six year s. We are proud to be ser ving the Nicola Valley. BEST BUILDING SUPPLY COMPANY

A24 THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 www.merrittherald.com E VE RYDAY F ROM 9 A M TO 1 0 PM OPE N U N IT YC AN NABI S .C A M We Deliver #1 0 4 - 21 01 Quilc he na Ave 2 50 -378 - 0 450 CAN NABI S STO R E P E O P L E ’ S Merritt 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Cannabis Dispensary 19+ M u s t b e THAN K YOU M E R R IT T for voting u s B E ST CAN NABI S DI S PE N SARY in Merrit t. We appreciate all of you r su ppor t throughou t the year and look forward to ser ving you again .

THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 A25 www.merrittherald.com PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS Our patients’ satisfaction comes first! • Quality, trusted, comprehensive eye care Great selection of frames for every budget LET OUR FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF HELP YOU LOWER PRICES •PERSONAL SERVICE •NAME BRANDS The management and staff thank all their customers for their support 2051 Quilchena Avenue | Merritt, BC | 250-378-5500 Dr. Har vey Bhangu, B.Sc., O.D. • Optometric Eye Health Evaluations • Cataract and L aser Consults & Follow ups • Retinal Imaging. Call today to book your eye examination. 411 Brink Street | Ashcroft, BC | 778-639-2020 Proud to be LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Bes Opt ca Business 250-315-0007 Railyard Mall 114-1700 Garcia St Breakfast, Lunch, Desserts & Coffee Thank you To all of the people that voted for Mandolins Bag el and Coffee House for BEST COFFEE SHOP. Serving the community for the over 12 years. MONDAY TO FRIDAY 7:30 AM- 3:0 0 PM CLOSED SATURDAY AND SUNDAYS P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD BEST COFFEE SHOP AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT: Book your Christmas Catering and Holiday Baking Now. LEGACY 250.378.6941 Outstanding Agents, Outstanding Results. 112-1700 Garcia Street, Box 2257 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Each of fice is independently owned and operated From all of us at RE/MAX Legacy, we would like to thank all our clients, future clients, family, and friends THANK YOU For Voting Us The #1 Real Estate Office In Merritt And The Nicola Valley for 5 Consecutive Years. We look for ward to another exciting year in the Nicola Valley, using our exper tise, negotiation skills, and local knowledge to get the best results for you. P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Real Estate Company 61 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1C5 0 378 9112 low us on Facebook and Instagram @homerestaurantbc 35 25 Fol Proudly serving Merritt for 25 years P E O P L E S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Breakfast P E O P L E S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Dessert Join us for a signature breakfast that will surely hit the spot! We are grateful for your support and look forward to serving you more homestyle favourites with a smile! Come home to comfort food T H A N K YOU M e r r i t t !

A26 THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 www.merrittherald.com NICOLA VALLEY NEWS THANK YOU MERRITT Take-out Options — Group Bookings — Reserve Online We thank you for your support and look forward to continuing to provide amazing food and service! P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD mrmikes.ca 3969 Crawford Ave, Merritt, BC 250-315-2364 BEST STEAK

THURSDAY, September 28, 2023 A27 www.merrittherald.com PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS N E W PAT I E N T S & W A L K - I N S W E L C O M E ! 2731 Forksdale Ave., Merritt 250-378-4888 DENTISTRY@MERRITT Famil y Dental Car e from professionals you can trust WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE BEEN VOTED AGAIN AS MERRITT’S BEST DENTAL OFFICE! We understand a visit to the dentist can be stressful, which is why we always aim to provide the best treatment as possible with the least amount of angst. Being a family oriented practice, we put great value into the treatment and care of your loved ones and we appreciate the trust you have put into us From all of us to all of you, THANK YOU! P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Dental Oﬃce 1700 Garcia St., Railyard Mall - Merritt / 250-378-5564 8 am - 9 pm, 7 days a week Thank you for voting us Best Grocer y Store for 6 consecutive years We look forward to giving you the same great ser vice in the future! P E O P L E ’ S Merritt Herald 2023 People’s Choice AWARD Best Grocery Store