Fernie’s own Loaf Bakery and Restaurant has been named one of the top ten best small businesses in the province.
The B.C. public has voted Loaf to be one of the finalists who will compete in the Small Business B.C. Successful You Awards (SYA). Managed by Small Business B.C., the contest is free to enter and open to all new and existing small businesses across the province.
Nominations were accepted during the months of October and November, with online votes deciding the top 10 finalists in the six award categories; Best Company, Best Concept, Best Employer, Best Green Business, Best Online Marketer, and Best Community Impact.
Loaf is competing for the Best Company Award, which recognizes the business that best demonstrates exceptional leadership, along with a proven track record of growth and profitability.
The artisan bakery has been open in Fernie since 2009 and has always been popular with locals and out-of-towners. Loaf has only got busier since relocating to their larger, downtown location earlier this year.
Loaf was also voted Best New Business 2010 by Fernie’s Chamber of Commerce, and owner Phil Gadd was included in Forty Foodies under Forty 2012.
Moving forward, Loaf will complete a detailed application and provide supporting materials to submit to a panel of judges, who will select the five finalists in each category.
The top five will be announced on January 30, and the final winner will be named on February 28 in Vancouver at the Successful You Awards ceremony.
