The Township is pleased to announce that 50 Rideau Lakes businesses have been nominated for the Business Recognition Awards, with 72 nominations received.

In 2026, the Township is working with four event sponsors to shine the light on local employers, business owners and entrepreneurs that make a difference. A special thank you to G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Co. Ltd., KPMG MSLP, RBC Royal Bank of Canada and Wills Transfer Limited for their incredible support of the local business community and their sponsorship of the tenth annual Rideau Lakes Business Recognition Program.

“The Township of Rideau Lakes is very pleased to see this level of participation in the Awards program. It really helps us to recognize and celebrate the work of local business that contribute to the strength of our communities” remarked Economic Development Committee Chairperson, Councillor Marcia Maxwell.

Rideau Lakes Businesses Nominated for the Business Recognition Awards:

There are four categories, the Business of the Year Award, the Small Business Award, the New Business Award and a new category to honour Long Standing Businesses. The nominees are listed below in alphabetical order by category.

Business of the Year– 4 Nominees

• Elgin Drugs
• Forfar Restaurant and Cheese Shop
• McNichols Trades Group Ltd.
• Recess Café

Small Business Award – 15 Nominees

• Baker and Son Tire Repair
• Bastard Coffee House
• Clearly Auto Glass
• Dorothy's Lodge
• Elgin Bowling Lanes
• Enchanted Paw - Pet Designs & Spa
• Hank's Fries
• Howling Hideaway Grooming and Kennels
• Jones Falls Management
• Narrows Lock Campground Corp.
• Newboro Lawn and Garden
• O'Hearn's Garage
• Portland Pharmasave
• Rideau Lakes Electric
• Thomas Sly Electric

New Business Award – 9 Nominees

• Autumn Moon Holistic Wellness
• Elgin Auctions
• Go Fudge Yourself
• Hennessy Gunsmith
• Portside Pub & Eatery
• Shimmering Gems
• Stealing the Bloom Farm Co.
• Stone Manor Studios
• Stoodley’s Kitchen and Beverage

Long Standing Business (20+ Years) – 22 Recognitions *New Category

• Baker’s Feed Store Ltd.
• Bayview Yacht Harbour Ltd.
• Brown's Marina
• Chantland Farms Ltd.
• French's Trucking
• Gordanier Freshmart
• Green Valley Cottages & Trailer Park
• Hartin’s Wheel Alignment and Auto Repair
• Hill View Farms
• Kilborn's on the Rideau
• Len's Cove Marina
• Maple-Ain Farms
• Michael's Hairstyling
• Poplars Resort
• Rideau Lakes Farms Inc.
• Rideau Mac Resort
• Sand Lake Marine
• Scotland Funeral Home
• Sky's the Limit Ranch
• Sunnyside Family Retreat | Campground & Cottages
• The Opinicon
• The Stagecoach

This year’s nominees will be celebrated, and winners will be announced at the Business Awards Breakfast, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Elgin Lions Community Hall from 8 to 10 a.m. Registration is required. For more information, visit rideaulakes.ca/awards or contact Marie White at 1-800-928-2250 ext. 288.