On November 14, 2014, The Morris and District Chamber of Commerce had the honor of recognizing three of its members in the annual business awards. The awards presentation was held during the Morris Multiplex’s Murder on the Menu dinner theater. A capacity crowd was on hand to congratulate the award winners. Each year the Morris and District Chamber of Commerce members nominates business’ in one of three categories. This year’s winners are:
Community Contributor of the Year- Rempel Insurance
Rempel Insurance received this award for their ongoing and continuing dedication to the community of Morris and area. Lynn Rempel and the late Dale Rempel have set an amazing example over the years of being involved in and giving back to their community.
These attitudes and actions have taken many forms as they give back whenever there is an opportunity and for that matter, they jump in creating opportunitiesto contribute to their community where there seemingly were none. Their leadershiphas led this business in a culture of giving back which has then been passed on to their staff and has resulted in their staff becoming very knowledgeable and in tune with their customers’ and community’s needs, both current and anticipated.
Collectively the management and staff of Rempel insurance can be seen throughout the community being involved in no less than 50 different organizations and events. A truly amazing example of a level of dedication to community that not only sets this business apart, but serves as inspiration and encouragement for many others to participate and contribute.
Entrepreneur of the Year- Fehr’s Cabinets.
Henry Fehr has been designing, planning and selling cabinets for over 20 years. He is well known throughout all the cabinet businesses from here to Kelowna, B.C. Henry is a hands on kind of guy and runs his business as such. The majority of his work is in Winnipeg and surrounding areas but he has served customers from Lac du Bonnet to Emerson, Kenora to Calgary andlike any true entrepreneur, wherever there is opportunity, you’ll find Henry! He is always looking for a project, there is no job too big or too small. Along with cabinets, he always has his eyes and ears in the real estate market. He jumps at any chance to improve a home or business for the community. He has bought, renovated and sold numerous properties over the years. This guy could have his own TV show!!
Henry has a number of projects on the go this year in addition to running his busy cabinet business. He is planning a new duplex behind his current show room, a showroom that got a complete exterior facelift this summer. A multifamily home in St Jean;plus a total redo on a house he purchased in Morris this past summerare two projects currently being worked on. Plus the most exciting project is a total redo of his old showroom and Car Manitoba building. The planned project has started and will be completed in 2015. It will be another showcase building on Main Street Morris.
Henry’s success not only lies in his entrepreneurial spirit but also in the way he focuses on his customers. One of the biggest compliments that Henry and his staff receive from their customers is that they feel more like a friend than a customer when working with them. Henry has two of the most important traits to being successful in business, and that is why his business continues to grow!!
Business of the Year- Morris Home Hardware.
Morris Home Hardware is owned and operated by Bud and Shelley Stupnisky. They have owned this business for 32 years. Their business has seen steady growth and has a long list of customers who come from Morris and the surrounding area to take advantage of the great product selection and the great service for their consumer purchases.
When the building across the street became available it was an opportunity to expand the product lines in response to community needs.Those product lines include the garden centre and related products; the electronics department, sporting goods, toys and many other items that the residents of Morris and area were looking for.
We have heard many stories from Morris residents about how they “go out of your way” to provide products and services for their customers; thereby driving a culture of excellence in the retail market. It is this dedication to their customers and community that has resulted in many years of successful retail business in Morris.
Their success is a direct result of personal commitment to “the golden rule”. The service oriented attitude and leadership of Bud and Shelley;instilling this same attitude in their very capable staff who are always ready to assist their customers with a smile. We have also seen owners and staff alike being involved in the community as volunteers, settingan example for others to follow.
It is this level of dedication, customer service and community involvement that has enabled them to succeed in a small rural marketplace, to persevere in a very competitive market, and to earn this year’s Business of the Year Award.