The Morden Chamber of Commerce is shining a spotlight on local excellence with its 2025 Business Awards.
They announced the winners of six of the award categories last week, as well as the trio of finalists up for the seventh honour.
Sharing this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award is Lisa Dyck and Heidie Janzen of Shear Bliss while the Community Builder Awards go to Morden Physiotherapy in the business category, South Central Cancer Resource in the non-profit category, and James Steedsman in the individual category.
The chamber has also opted to hand out two special awards this year to Fehr Glass & Aluminum Ltd. for Lifetime Achievement and Decor Cabinets for Innovation Excellence.
Finally, in the running for the 2025 Business Excellence Award are T.J. Auto Repair, The Brick Morden, and Chicken Chef Morden. The winner of that category will be announced at the awards gala being held at the Access Event Centre Jan. 29.
“It’s so important to recognize the hard work it takes to be successful in business,” said chamber executive director Clare Agnew, noting these awards are an opportunity for people to really reflect on the impact local companies, non-profits, and individuals have on the community at large. “It’s important to take a bit of a pause and say thank you for always being there and how important they are to our community.”
Agnew explained that the selection committee decided to add the Innovation Excellence Award this year after assessing the nomination it received for Decor Cabinets and realizing what the furniture manufacturer is doing is something special, worthy of unique recognition beyond the usual award categories.
“Their nomination just stood out to be unprecedented with what they’ve done with the new technology they’re using to build cabinets,” she said. The company has invested heavily in advanced automation and digital systems, which has allowed it to successfully expand into new markets. “It was evident to us that we had to give special recognition to the innovation that Decor has incorporated into their business in 2025.”
Likewise, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Fehr Glass is in recognition of the fact the successful company has been run by members of the same family for decades—an achievement well worth honouring, Agnew noted.
The Jan. 29 gala will highlight each recipient while also featuring a cocktail reception and a performance from comedian Matt Falk.
“One of the benefits to the businesses that are being recognized is all the marketing that goes along with it,” Agnew said, noting the chamber creates a video for each winner and finalist to be shown at the gala that they can use for their own promotional purposes moving forward.
Gala tickets are $120 per person or $840 for a table of eight and can be purchased online at mordenchamber.com or by emailing execdirector@mordenchamber.com.
“It’s open to the public,” Agnew stressed. “This is our community’s opportunity to thank these businesses, and we’d love to have you there.”
