Halifax, November 5, 2015: Atlantic Canada’s convenience store industry recognized industry excellence at the Atlantic Convenience Stores Association’s 7th annual Retail Convenience Awards Gala held at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax last night.
The convenience store industry in Atlantic Canada employs an estimated 28,300 people full and part-time at 3,300 convenience store locations across the region, and generates more than a half-billion dollars in annual sales.
Sponsored by Atlantic Lottery Corporation, the awards recognize excellence in six categories: President’s Excellence, Emerging Excellence, Innovative Beverage, Innovative Food, Innovative Product, and Innovative Health Food or Beverage.
The President’s Excellence award is given to businesses that have been operating for 10 years or more, have demonstrated excellence in operations, and are clearly viewed as an important and valuable part of their community. Winners of the 2015 President’s Excellence Award were: Al Sutherland, Big Al’s Convenience, New Glasgow, NS; Austin & Ramona Roberts, Big Dog Convenience, Kinkora, Mount Stewart and New Annan, PE; Christine Delany, Windsor Lake Ultramar, Portugal Cove, NL; Heidi Anderson, Regent Street Circle K, Fredericton, NB; and John Amyoony, Triple A Convenience, Halifax, NS.
The Emerging Excellence Award is given to businesses that have been operating for less than ten years and are recognized as a valuable part of their community with strong potential for growth and innovation. 2015 Emerging Excellence Award winners were: Melissa Mercer, Bay Roberts Needs/Shell, Bay Roberts, NL and Rebecca Lambe, Mom’s Country Market, Dartmouth, NS.
Monster Ultra Blue was the winner in the Innovative Beverage category over Mad Jack Apple Lager and Pure Leaf Lemon Ice Tea, while KIT KAT Chunky Double Caramel was selected for the Innovative Food category. Other finalists for the Innovative Food award were Jack Link’s Small Batch Beef Jerky and M&M’s To Go.
Vapur Rechargeable Pack took the Innovative Product category over finalists FIFO Mobile Accessories and Bic Maxi Lighter – User Generated Designs.
A new category for 2015, Innovative Health Food or Beverage, included finalists Vector Protein Chewy Bars Mixed Nut, and Kellogg’s Special K Protein Morning Shake Chocolate Flavour; Karma Water was named the category winner.
“Everyone is a winner in my book,” said Mike Hammoud, president of the ACSA. “We were so pleased to have had so many great companies and individuals to choose from.”.