'A great job': Waterdown businesses win BIA Property Excellence Awards
Two Waterdown businesses have been awarded BIA Property Excellence Awards by the City of Hamilton.
Waterdown Fortinos and Michelle My Belle Bridal Boutique were both recognized for facade improvements March 29 at Carmen's Banquet Centre, ahead of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce's 2023 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards.
Waterdown Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) executive director Susan Pennie said the Excellence Awards are facilitated by the City of Hamilton's economic development division, in partnership with the city's business improvement areas.
She noted the Waterdown winners were recognized for the major facade improvements" both Michelle My Belle and Fortinos undertook during the pandemic.
I think people come to a business district because it is clean, safe, comfortable and esthetically a place that you want to spend time in," she said. We're very grateful to businesses and property owners who invest in the community and continue to put their best face forward - because it then appeals to all of the visitors to the area."
She said the Waterdown BIA has participated in the awards of excellence for several years, but the program went on a bit of a hiatus during the pandemic. As a result, two other Waterdown businesses received awards March 29 from 2020: Waterdown Optometric Clinic, which received a 2020 Sparkle Award for the care they take to maintain their property on an ongoing basis; and Dawn Victoria Homes, which was recognized for relocating The Fix building to face Dundas Street East and the restoration of 297 Dundas St. E. - the former Waterdown Tea House.
It was a quadruple winning night for our businesses," she said.
However, Pennie said none of the winners take care of their buildings or undertake facade improvements to win awards.
I think it's just a reflection of the great job and the pride that our business community takes in presenting Waterdown Village to visitors and to the people who live here," she said.
It's hard sometimes to acknowledge just a couple of businesses, because there are so many that do a great job - it's what makes this community a place that you want to come down to and be a part of."