There were cheers, tears, and a disco-hall’s worth of gold lamé in St. Albert last week as the city’s business elite recognized its corporate champions.
About 230 people were at the St. Albert Inn Oct. 25 for the 2024 St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards of Distinction ceremony. Many came dressed in groovy floral patterns and go-go boots to match the event’s 1970s theme — a reference to the Chamber’s 70th anniversary later this year.
Perhaps mostly strongly possessed by the spirit of disco that evening was Clearwater Car Wash president Travis Braithwaite, who took to the stage dressed head to toe in gold lamé whilst making it rain car wash coupons.
In a later text message, Braithwaite joked that he had hoped to emulate John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever with his look, but ended up more like Vector from Despicable Me.
Thirteen St. Albert businesses were recognized for their achievements at the event, including Lift Legal (Business to Business Award) and Fit + Fierce ( for community business leadership).
Rising stars
Bailey Books co-owners Barry and Lisa Bailey received the Small Business Award.
Barry said he had run Bailey Books more as a hobby for much of the last 22 years before his daughter Lisa came back to St. Albert last year to help run the place. Thanks to her marketing savvy, the store now has regular hours, book clubs, an active social media presence, and partnerships with local authors, all of which have sent sales to the moon.
“Our sales numbers are up 3,000 per cent and our in-store transactions are up 3,200 per cent,” Lisa said.
Lisa said Bailey Books was proud to receive this award, and hoped to start new initiatives such as a Dungeons & Dragons club in the years ahead.
Clearwater Car Wash took home the Ignite Award in recognition of its rapid growth in its first three years.
Braithwaite credited the “feel-good spirit” his staff creates for customers for his company’s success. Adding to that spirit are eco-friendly technologies such as biodegradable soaps, computer-guided washers, and a water recycling system that lets them use just 20 gallons of fresh water per car.
“We’re using less water than a 10-minute shower to wash a car,” Braithwaite said.
Co-owners Balbina and Vincent Nagera received the Young Entrepreneur Award for their work with Lomita Tutoring.
Balbina, 25, said she and her brother Vincent got through high school with the help of tutoring from their family, and decided to start Lomita Tutoring last year as a hobby to help others. They named their company “Lomita” (Spanish for “little hill”) to honour their Spanish roots and St. Albert’s many hills. Their company now employs nine tutors (including themselves) who help students of all ages across Alberta.
Balbina credited the team’s success to its one-on-one lessons based on practical, real-life applications.
“A lot of students come in for math and they say, ‘I can’t do this math.’ We say, ‘No you can, you just need to be taught it in a different way,’” she said.
Ammon Bodie received the inaugural Indigenous Award on behalf of Sunshine Promotions. An Indigenous-owned company that has printed signs, shirts, and other promotional items in St. Albert for just over 15 years, Sunshine Promotions is an active supporter of the Run for Reconciliation and the Windbreakers Indigenous Youth Running Program in St. Albert.
“We want to make sure we keep bringing these groups to the forefront to represent the Indigenous side,” Bodie said.
Community champions
Past Chamber president Lynda Moffat heaped praise upon Jodie McFadzen, who was this year’s recipient of the Lynda Moffat Woman of Distinction Award. McFadzen owns many successful businesses, supports a long list of charities, and had won two Alberta Chambers of Commerce awards, all of which reflect her dedication to lifting up businesses in St. Albert.
“She is a beacon of hope and compassion in our community,” Moffat said, whose drive to give back exemplifies her belief that every voice matters.
Receiving a standing ovation, a teary-eyed McFadzen thanked Moffat for her mentorship.
Great West Media LP (parent company of the Gazette) received the Chair’s Award in recognition for its decades of local reporting and philanthropy.
“The fact that St. Albert is such a wonderful, vibrant, caring community is why St. Albert has a strong community newspaper," said Tim Shoults, publisher of the St. Albert Gazette and vice president at Great West Media.
Also recognized at the ceremony were Simone & Ivy Home (best medium business), McDonald’s Restaurants BILT Enterprises Ltd. (best large business), LoSeCa Foundation (community stewardship), External Affairs Medical Spa (best customer service), and St. Louis Bar & Grill (best marketing).
