SOOKECADEMY 2023

Photo by Marleen Kiral, Almostronaut Creative

The following local businesses were recognized as the top three leading in their category, with first-place winners receiving a trophy.

Business of the Year, sponsored by CHEK Media

• 1st Bad Dog Brewery
• 2nd SFRS Thrift store
• 3rd The Artisan’s Garden

New Business of the Year, sponsored by EnerTech Solutions Ltd.

• 1st India Delight Bistro & Bar
• 2nd Gadget Tree Tech Services
• 2nd Sasquatch Pizza

People’s Choice, sponsored by Home Hardware

• 1st SFRS Community Thrift Store
• 2nd Bad Dog Brewing Company
• 3rd Stick in the Mud

Trades and Skilled Labour, sponsored by Stick in the Mud Coffee House

• 1st West Coast Tire & Wheel Ltd
• 2nd Dumont Tires Ltd / Sooke Tirecraft
• 3rd Squeeky Clean Window and Gutters
• 3rd WestCom Plumbing & Gas

Business Services, sponsored by Aragon Development Corp.

• 1st Sooke Fax & Copy Centre
• 2nd Meanwhile in Sooke
• 3rd CHEK Media

Professional Services, sponsored by Dr. Chris Bryant & Staff

1. 1st Saseenos Veterinary Ltd
2. 2nd Sooke Veterinary Hospital
3. 2nd Wood Travel & Cruise

Non-profit and Volunteer, sponsored by the District of Sooke

• 1st SFRS Community Thrift Store
• 2nd Sooke Family Resource Society
• 3rd Royal Canadian Legion #54

Dining and Hospitality, sponsored by Sooke Eyecare

• 1st The Lazy Gecko
• 2nd Wild Mountain
• 3rd Stick in the Mud Cafe

Retail, sponsored by Avison Young

• 1st SFRS Thrift Store
• 2nd Bosley’s Sooke
• 3rd The Artisan’s Garden

Personal Services, sponsored by Parkway Physiotherapy

• 1st SEAPARC Leisure Complex
• 1st Collar & Comb
• 2nd Wiskers & Waggs

Manufacturing and Industry sponsored by Rustic Roots Hair Studio

• 1st Sooke Oceanside Brewery
• 2nd Sheringham Distillery
• 3rd Stick in the Mud (Roastoreum)

The winner of the $200 Gift Card drawn by random by the awards manager through Blackpress, from among all those who voted for local businesses was Elizabeth Jameson.

Congratulations to all!

In addition to the award sponsors mentioned above, special appreciations need to be given to these event sponsors

• Sooke Oceanside Brewery (SOB), who sponsored the cash bar
• Village Food Markets, who sponsored, in part, the hors d'hoeurves
• Almostronaut Designs, who sponsored, in part, the promotional material

Lastly, thanks to the generous donations of the Big Basket, which was valued at over $2,000 and won by a member in the audience. These donors included SEAPARC Leisure Complex, Jess Wageman, Prestige Oceanfront Resort, Sooke Health & Fitness, Reynolds Antiques and Collectibles, Roxanne Low Photography, Mountain Heights Healing, Sage Piano Studio, Sheringham Distillery, West Coast Grill, Coastal Tides Day Spa, Sooke 2 for 1 Pizza, Carolyn's Boutique, B and K Jewelry and Gifts, The Lazy Gecko, Bad Dog Brewing Company, Pharmasave Sooke, A Sea of Bloom, Seaflora Skincare Inc & Retail Store, and Sherry Robb Designs.