The Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce honoured four businesses and one non-profit with its 2025 P.W. Enns Business Awards last week.
Photos by Ashleigh Viveiros/Voice
The May 14 gala brought the community together to honour Tri Koating Inc. with the Business Excellence Award, The Property Brokers Real Estate Group with the Community Builder Award, EMCO Corporation Winkler with the Customer Service Award, Mulligan’s Restaurant with the Business Builder Award, and Katie Cares with the Not-for-Profit Service Award.
“This evening is about celebration, honouring the outstanding businesses and organizations that make our community stronger, more innovative, and more connected,” chamber president Doug Eidse said in opening the night’s festivities.
“Success in business is not just about numbers or profit. It’s about vision, resilience, and the impact we leave on those around us. Tonight we recognize those who have gone above and beyond setting the standard for excellence in our region.
“Each of you represents the very best of our business and community spirit.”
First up to receive an award was Ruth Reimer of Katie Cares, which operates the Katie’s Cottage respite home near the Boundary Trails Health Centre and also distributes care packages to children in hospital.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful to us and the work that we continue to do,” she said, sharing the charity was the creation of her late daughter, Kaitlyn. “It was Katie’s dream and vision to offer comfort and support to children and families, beginning with the simple yet powerful gesture of giving a Beanie Baby. That dream has grown far beyond what we could have imagined. Last year alone we handed out 2,995 Beanie Babies to children across Southern Manitoba.
“Katie’s Cottage welcomed 798 guests in 2024, representing 128 communities from across Manitoba,” Reimer shared, stressing the facility offers family members with loved ones in hospital more than a place to sleep. “It offers compassion, and the care and comfort of a home, whether it’s for a restful night or a quiet place to stay.”
Reimer thanked the cottage’s volunteers and staff for their dedication and commitment, and the community for its unfailing support through the years.
“Your encouragement, generosity, and support have helped Katie Cares grow far beyond what we envisioned.”
EMCO Winkler manager Sherri Hoeppner wasn’t able to accept the award in person but recorded a video to express her thanks.
“Receiving this award is a huge honour, alongside my team from EMCO,” she said. “This award is a testament to the outstanding efforts of my remarkable team.
“Since we opened our doors in the fall of 2022, delivering exceptional customer service has always been our highest priority,” Hoeppner said. “We strive daily to say yes to as many customers as often as possible.
“We are deeply grateful to our many loyal customers and to this fantastic community. Your feedback has guided us in selecting the right product, understanding your preferred brands, and finding practical solutions together.
“Each partnership we have formed over the past two years has been instrumental in bringing us to this moment, and your ongoing support has truly made this award possible.”
Mulligan’s owner Andrea Knight accepted the Business Builder Award in recognition of the restaurant’s growth, vision, and innovation.
“I purchased Mulligan’s in 2013 and for the past 12 years we’ve strived to stay on top of new trends by creating new and original dishes,” she said. “We continue to find new ways to keep our guests coming back for more.”
The eatery weathered the challenges of recent years—including the pandemic and rising operational costs—with resilience, Knight noted.
“We couldn’t have done this without the amazing support we’ve received from our community,” she said, stressing they in turn seek to give back wherever they can.
Knight thanked God and her family for their support and her staff—including head chef Anthony Proulx and front of house manager Sara Bueckert—for their hard work and dedication.
“Your commitment to the success of this business has been invaluable, and it’s because of you that we are able to provide the kind of service and experience we do. You go above and beyond every day.”
Thanks as well went out to Mulligan’s many loyal customers.
“You are the reason we are able to do what we love. I’m so grateful for each and every one of you,” Knight said. “Building a business has never been easy, but it has been made possible with a great team, an encouraging and loving family, and a supportive community. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and look forward to continuing to serve you all for many years to come.”
Honoured with the Community Builder Award was The Property Brokers, a real estate company headed up by Tim Friesen and Wes Harder. This award is given to a business that strives to make a lasting impact in the community.
“As Wes and I stand here tonight, it’s really hard for us to believe that three and a half years ago we were dreaming about what a new real estate company could look like in this community,” shared Friesen. “We talked about innovation, we talked about relationships, building something different, something that our communities could be proud of. And so today, just a few years later, to be standing here receiving the Community Builder Award is really humbling beyond words.
“In our mission statement, we say that we want to create a culture of giving back to the communities that have given so much to us,” he continued. “With a community like Winkler, we’re constantly reminded about how much we’ve received, and this motivates us to find new ways to give back and to continue to serve.”
Harder thanked everyone who mentored and supported them through the years.
“We’re where we are because somewhere along the way in our lives, somebody saw something in us that we didn’t see in ourselves,” he said. “We can’t help but be very grateful.
“Today, as we think about what it means to be a community builder, we don’t think it’s something that you accomplish or arrive at,” he added. “Rather it’s something that’s continual, something that’s living, something we keep building into.”
Accepting the final award of the night, the Business Excellence Award, was Tri Koating Inc., who were honoured for their consistently outstanding performance, innovation, leadership, and community engagement.
Joe Wall, CEO of the industrial painting company, said the award is an incredible honour for them.
“This recognition means a lot to us and it’s a pretty big deal. It serves not just as a symbol of our achievement, but also a reminder of our core values, hard work, and dedication that brought us here.
“During this journey, the community has been amazing to be a part of and we’re looking forward for that to continue.”
Wall thanked his staff for all they do.
“This award is a reflection of our team’s commitment to excellence. Every member of our staff has played a vital role. From those working behind the scenes to those on the front lines with our clients, their passion, resilience, and hard work are the real reason we’re standing here today.
“I also want to extend our deepest gratitude to our customers and partners,” Wall continued. “Your trust and support have allowed us to grow, evolve and continue to push forward every day.
“We accept this award not as a finish line, but as a milestone. We’re excited for what’s ahead and we remain committed to raising the bar and everything we do within this community as we seek to see it grow and prosper.
The chamber wrapped up the evening with one special, previously unannounced award to honour executive director Tanya Chateauneuf for her decade of service.
A surprised Chateauneuf expressed gratitude for the chamber’s members and their support through the years.
“I am so grateful to all of you for showing up here today and for all of the many events that you’ve showed up to in the past,” she said, thanking the City of Winkler as well for its partnership with the chamber.
“I’m really emotional—it’s hard for me to not cry right now … I’m so, so lucky to have the role that I have in the community.”
