Nov. 26, 2022

Our professional photos from the event will be posted as they arrive.

GODERICH – The Maple Leaf Motel in Goderich won the top award at the 2022 Spirit of Success Awards Gala, an annual business awards event hosted by the Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron last night.

“The application for the award was so genuine and so cheerful, it felt real,” said the judges, in their decision. “While they are new to the community, they honour the history of the business and its location. They are problem-solvers.”

The Maple Leaf Motel, located on Victoria Street in Goderich, is managed by Iqbal Shaukat & Tahseen Tahira.

The community has offered up a record 92 nominations of businesses, organizations and individuals for 11 sponsored awards. Nominations included organizations that run events that make an impact in the community, young people with the courage to start businesses, businesses that provide stellar service and give back to the community and other criteria of excellence.

Other awards winners were:

Compass Minerals Environmental and Sustainability Award – Meeting Place Organic Farm;

Goderich Signal Star Community Impact Award – The Alexandra Rose Long Table Dinner 2022;

John C. Grace Young Entrepreneur Award – Sydney Pollock of Blake Street Bakery;

Downtown Goderich BIA Award – Ontario Consolidation Services;

Huron County Economic Development New Business Award – Eat Local Huron;

MicroAge Basics Service Award – Coldwell Banker All-Points Festival City Realty, Goderich;

K2 Wind Ontario Technology / Manufacturing Award – Calhoun Super Structure;

Tourism Goderich Hospitality Business Award – The Maple Leaf Motel;

Zehrs Goderich Retail Business Award – Chuck’s Roadhouse; and

Huron County Diversity Award – Bayfield Berry Farm.

“As I listened to the long list of nominees and winners announced tonight, it occurred to me that they all have a number of strengths. They have resilience. They have worked through a really tough couple of years without compromise. They have pushed back. They have started businesses in the midst of a pandemic, evolved with rapid change, responded to market needs. And as if that weren’t enough, they all want to have a hand in creating a better community. As a Chamber of Commerce, we are here to support those efforts,” said Jennifer Verdam-Woodward, who is chair of the Huron Chamber of Commerce.

This event is co-sponsored by Libro Credit Union and Zehrs Goderich. Awards are sponsored by Artech Signs and Graphics. Entertainment is sponsored by Community Futures Huron. Media sponsor is Blackburn Media Inc. Decoration sponsor is Jodi  Snell of Royal LePage Heartland Realty in Goderich.