Three Knowlton Businesses Reach Finals

Proof that the business community of Lac Brome continues to shine in the Brome-Missisquoi area came this week as it was announced that three of our local independent businesses had been nominated for awards at the 2007 Gala of Excellence put on by the Cowansville & Region Chamber of Commerce (Chambre De Commerce De Cowansville et Region). The event allows all businesses throughout the entire Brome-Missisquoi area to vye for awards of commercial and public distinction in twelve categories and with over 20 towns and thousands of businesses competing we can be proud that three of the nominations for the October 27th award presentation were businesses located right in the village of Knowlton!

Of course, most of already knew that Knowlton is home to a number of innovative enterprises attempting to do things differently in these times of economic uncertainty and it is nice to see validation offered for these hard working folks who take the risk to turn their visions into a reality!

The Knowlton Gallery was selected as one of three finalists in the category of Arts & Culture and Panier Champetre and Traiteur Etchea were also honored as finalists in their respective categories in the MRC of Brome-Missisquoi.

Knowlton Gallery, on the corner of Knowlton Road and Lakeside is a popular spot amongst visitors who enjoy the newly renovated gallery and friendly atmosphere. The Gallery features world-class artists in exclusive showings and selections from local talent and visitors can often find friendly gallery operators Françoise and Douglas sitting outside ready to chat with visitors and maybe, if you're lucky, share in a wee glass of wine, a slice of cheese and a good story!

The Panier Champetre offers a large selection of gourmet foods, luxury bath and baby baskets and are perhaps most well-known for their unique country baskets filled with a selection of some of the finest products from the Townships area with everything from surprises for the sweet tooth to decadence for the finest gourmet palate...all in a lovely gift basket for every occasion.

Traiteur Etchea offers quite a unique space in the heart of the Lac Brome and a visit means more than satisfying a hunger for quality; it is an invitation to travel through the tastes & colors of the world! Chef Maddia Esquerre creates dishes strongly influenced from the menus of the South-East of France and features duck creations, delectable frozen preserves and all manner of meals for small take-out treats or complete catered occasions.

These three local businesses will be in the running for the "Gala Excellence 2007" which takes place every other year and has different categories of enterprise:

Agricultural enterprise (farm/animals/cultivation); Food processing enterprise (main revenue from transformed products); Tourism enterprise,;Art and Culture enterprise; Retail business : 1 to 10 employees; Retail business : 11 and more employees; Manufacturing : 1 to 50employees; Manufacturing : 51 and more employees; New enterprise (start-up after January 2005); Non-profit organism; Services: 1 to 10 employees; Services: 11 and more employees.

Three enterprises per category will be nominated and will be the subject of a publicity article in the "Le Guide" and "L'Avenir & Des Rivières" local papers.
The winners will later profit from the visibility of another article in the same newspaper media and of course DestinationKnowlton.com will be there!

The "Gala Excellence" is a major event in the business community of the region. Crowned or not,the participating enterprises all come out winners since this activity is an excellent occasion to promote the products and services of each and everyone. It is also the moment to engage in the economic development of the region, the sure road to success!

For further information on the Gala 2007 please contact the "Chambre de commerce de Cowansville et région" at 450-266-1665 or by email at: cccr@qc.aira.com

Knowlton, like any other town in Canada, has seen both prosperity and scarcity in the local business community; changes to demographics, the Internet, and the global marketplace have meant that it takes more today to create a succesfull and viable small business, especially in a small town. Knowlton seems to be experiencing a real positive trend with new people and new ideas coming in to challenge the ideas of what a business should be.

Many residents can recall the good-ol' days days of enterprise when the local small-business economy was riding the wave; when hanging a shingle outside of a storefront was enough to make a good living. Looking around Knowlton now, it would seem on the surface, with so many for rent signs, that those halcyon memories are forever out of reach but such fluctuations happen everywhere from the stock exchange to the quality of play of the Montreal Canadiens and these three nominations are perhaps the cusp of a brand new era for Lac Brome.

Recently a new, vibrant sentiment is being felt in the business community and there seems to be a renewed sense that things can actually get better if the right people use their talents and dreams to create the vision of the town they wish to live in!

Whatever happens during the Gala of Excellence we should be proud that some of our businesses are being recognized by outsiders for their commitment and involvement in making this a better place...most of us already know there are many local establishments who probably deserve recognition for their commitment and encouragement and that is one of the reasons we live here...it's all about the future and the people who believe in it!

See more of the variety of businessess in the Knowlton Business Directory