CHANTRY — Fifty Rideau Lakes businesses have been nominated for the Township’s Business Recognition Awards, with a total of 72 nominations received.
The 2026 program is supported by four event sponsors: G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Co. Ltd., KPMG MSLP, RBC Royal Bank of Canada and Wills Transfer Limited.
“The Township of Rideau Lakes is very pleased to see this level of participation in the awards program,” said Coun. Marcia Maxwell, chair of the economic development committee. “It helps us recognize and celebrate the local businesses that contribute to the strength of our communities.”
The awards feature four categories: Business of the Year, Small Business, New Business and a new category recognizing long-standing businesses operating for more than 20 years. Nominees are listed below in alphabetical order by category.
Rideau Lakes Business Recognition awards nominees
Business of the Year — four nominees
- Elgin Drugs
- Forfar Restaurant and Cheese Shop
- McNichols Trades Group Ltd.
- Recess Café
Small Business Award — 15 nominees
- Enchanted Paw – Pet Designs & Spa
- Hank’s Fries
- Howling Hideaway Grooming and Kennels
- Jones Falls Management
- Narrows Lock Campground Corp.
- Newboro Lawn and Garden
- O’Hearn’s Garage
- Portland Pharmasave
- Rideau Lakes Electric
- Thomas Sly Electric
New Business Award — nine nominees
- Autumn Moon Holistic Wellness
- Elgin Auctions
- Go Fudge Yourself
- Hennessy Gunsmith
- Portside Pub & Eatery
- Shimmering Gems
- Stealing the Bloom Farm Co.
- Stone Manor Studios
- Stoodley’s Kitchen and Beverage
Long-Standing Business (20+ years) — 22 recognitions
- Baker’s Feed Store Ltd.
- Bayview Yacht Harbour Ltd.
- Brown’s Marina
- Chantland Farms Ltd.
- French’s Trucking
- Gordanier Freshmart
- Green Valley Cottages & Trailer Park
- Hartin’s Wheel Alignment and Auto Repair
- Hill View Farms
- Kilborn’s on the Rideau
- Len’s Cove Marina
- Maple-Ain Farms
- Michael’s Hairstyling
- Poplars Resort
- Rideau Lakes Farms Inc.
- Rideau Mac Resort
- Sand Lake Marine
- Scotland Funeral Home
- Sky’s the Limit Ranch
- Sunnyside Family Retreat | Campground & Cottages
- The Opinicon
- The Stagecoach
Winners will be announced at the Business Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Elgin Lions Community Hall from 8 to 10 a.m. Registration is required.
More information is available at rideaulakes.ca/awards or by contacting Marie White at 1-800-928-2250, ext. 288.
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