Cathy Gouk loves to give back to the community. Now Sooke has given something very special back to her.

GoukB次元官网网址檚 business, CathyB次元官网网址檚 Corner Cafe, was named Business of the Year by the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday (Dec. 7).

There were 11 categories in this yearB次元官网网址檚 Business Excellence Awards, ranging from business of the year to the pandemic pivot award.

Residents vote for their favourite business to determine the winners. This year more than 3,000 votes were cast and 300 businesses nominated.

Gouk learned about her win Wednesday morning when her cellphone was pinging relentlessly. She checked her Facebook page and discovered she was the big winner on the night.

B次元官网网址淲e were so shocked, honoured and humbled,B次元官网网址� Gouk said. B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址滻t was pretty exciting.B次元官网网址�

She started CathyB次元官网网址檚 Corner Cafe nine years ago. The tiny cafe at the corner of Otter Point and Murray Road caters to B次元官网网址渞egular working people and making everyone feel at home,B次元官网网址� she said.

CathyB次元官网网址檚 Corner Cafe is famously known for its free Christmas dinner and other charitable ventures throughout the year.

Gouk and her daughter Janice offer the community a free turkey lunch, complete with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and a side vegetable. And, of course, turkey. This yearB次元官网网址檚 dinner happens on Wednesday and Thursday (Dec. 15 and 16).

Earlier this week, Gouk bought $180 worth of underwear and socks for the Sooke Shelter when she heard the group was struggling to get warm clothing for its clients. Her granddaughter also donated four bags of used clothing.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 my way of paying it forward and to say thank you, because without the community this tiny little restaurant wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be here,B次元官网网址� Gouk said.

CathyB次元官网网址檚 Corner Cafe, along with its Business of the Year honours, also won in the dining and hospitality category. Multiple awards were collected, too, by the Sooke Food Bank (Not-for-Profit, Pandemic Pivot and PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Choice).

The Business Excellence Awards winners:

Dining and Hospitality B次元官网网址� CathyB次元官网网址檚 Corner Cafe

Home-Based Business B次元官网网址� Meanwhile in Sooke

Manufacturing and Industry B次元官网网址� Sheringham Distillery

Not-for-Profit and Volunteer B次元官网网址� Sooke Food Bank

Pandemic Pivot Award B次元官网网址� Sooke Food Bank

Professional Services B次元官网网址� West Coast Family Medical Clinic

Retail and Services B次元官网网址� Group Insurance Plan: Collar & Comb Grooming

Trades and Skilled Labour B次元官网网址� West Shack Auto Service

New Business of the Year B次元官网网址� D.A. Forbes Pharmacy Sooke

PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Choice B次元官网网址� Sooke Food Bank

Business of the Year B次元官网网址� CathyB次元官网网址檚 Corner Cafe

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editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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