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2026
People’s Choice AWARDS
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
The Winners are: BUSINESS AND SERVICES AGRICULTURAL/FARM/RANCH 3 Bar Farms AUTO PARTS STORE Bumper to Bumper AUTO REPAIR SHOP DCS Auto BANK CIBC BUILDING CONTRACTOR COMPANY Caleo Construction BUILDING SUPPLY COMPANY Home Hardware BUTCHER SHOP Local Butcher CANNABIS DISPENSARY Unity Cannabis CEMENT COMPANY Merritt Ready Mix CLOTHING STORE 378 Boardshop COLD BEER, WINE / LIQUOR STORE Old Barley Market Beer & Wine Store CONVENIENCE STORE/GAS STATION Super Save Gas COUNSELLING BUSINESS Currents Counselling DAYCARE FAMILY PLACE Early Learning Centre DENTAL COMPANY Cascade Dental DOG/CAT GROOMER Tracey Ketters Dog and Cat Grooming ELECTRICAL COMPANY Electrifriends Contracting Ltd FITNESS FACILITY Persistence Training Center (PTC) FLOWER SHOP Valley Bloom Bar GROCERY STORE Save-On-Foods
HOTEL / MOTEL Best Western Plus INSURANCE OFFICE Interior Savings Insurance Services LANDSCAPING COMPANY Klassen Landscaping MASSAGE OFFICE Heidi Joy Brown, RMT OPTICAL BUSINESS FYI Doctors PHARMACY Black’s Pharmacy PLUMBING COMPANY Nicola Plumbing & Heating REAL ESTATE COMPANY Royal LePage SALON Kruse N’ Style SENIORS HOME Gillis House SPA Mellah Leuca Day Spa STORAGE FACILITY Triggs Storage Ltd. TATTOO ARTIST Robin Humphrey THRIFT/SECOND HAND STORE Nicola Valley Auxiliary Thrift Store TIRE SHOP Kal Tire TOWING COMPANY Mario’s Towing Ltd WELDING COMPANY Jacksons Welding HOME BASED BUSINESS Double D’s Bakery UNIQUE BUSINESS Dragon’s Delight - Caitlin Rizzardo BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Valley Graze Box BEST BUSINESS OVERALL (UNDER 10 EMPLOYEES)
UK Spice Cuisine
BEST BUSINESS OVERALL OVER 10 EMPLOYEES
Fountain Tire BEST NEW BUSINESS Scissor Me Timbers FOOD CATERING Mandolins Bagel & Coffee House PUB Game on Sports Bar and Grill RESTAURANT The Grand Pub & Grill BREAKFAST Chloe’s Dinner BURGER Game On Sports Bar and Grill CHICKEN Coco’s Restaurant CHINESE FOOD Crystal Garden DESSERT Kekuli Cafe PIZZA Yaki Joe’s Pizza SANDWICH Home Restaurant SOUP Valley Graze STEAK Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse Casual SUSHI Coco’s Restaurant WINGS Game On Sports Bar and Grill PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER Carrie ware CASHIER Debbie Shearer CLUB/SPORTS ORGANIZATION Love to Dance Academy COACH Gian Cavaliere COOK Harry Singh (UK Spice)
DENTIST Dr. Prokopetz / Stoyoma DOCTOR Dr. Lali EYELASH TECHNICIAN Ashley Pare, Sinfully Sugar’d & Lash Studio HAIR DRESSER Stephanie McRae & Corrine Munro Tied for 1st place
LOCAL ARTIST Richard Tenisch LOCAL BAND/MUSICIAN Second Bass LOCAL EVENT Country Christmas MECHANIC Adam Douthwright MANAGER Deborah Petrovich - WorkBC NAIL TECHNICIAN Chelsea Spence NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION Love to Dance Academy OUTSTANDING YOUTH Emma Doncaster PERSONAL TRAINER Tyler Wowchuck PHOTOGRAPHER Crystal Leier REALTORS Bailee Allen & Jared Thomas Tied for 1st place
RECEPTIONIST Della Field - WorkBC RESTAURANT SERVER Lisa Vanroosbroeck SALES PROFESSIONAL Adam Etchart TEACHER / EDUCATOR Mr. Shea - Central Elementary VETERINARIAN Dr. Anais Roy VOLUNTEER Kia Henriksen
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I am incredibly honoured and grateful to have been voted Merritt’s
BEST REALTOR Tied for 1st place
People’s Choice “Best Realtor” for the third consecutive year!
This year is particularly special as I have the pleasure of sharing this recognition with another fantastic local REALTOR®, Jared Thomas PREC of Real Broker BC Ltd.* Jared and I have had the opportunity to work together on countless real estate transactions over the years, and our ability to work collaboratively and seamlessly has always been something I’ve appreciated. It’s truly an honour to share this year’s recognition with someone I have so much respect for in our industry. To the wonderful community of Merritt and the Nicola Valley, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Being born and raised in this community, I have always been proud to call Merritt home. To now have the opportunity to build my business here, raise my family here, and help others find their place in this beautiful valley is something I will never take for granted. I know that I would not be where I am today without the incredible support of this community. Every hello, wave, phone call, text message, coffee date, referral and opportunity to help someone buy or sell their home means more to me than you know. It’s the relationships and connections I’ve built along the way that make this career so rewarding. As I continue this exciting new chapter with Canada Flex Realty Group, I look forward to growing, building new relationships and continuing to serve the community that has given me so much.
To my past and present clients, friends, family, fellow REALTORS® and everyone who has supported me along the way, thank you for your continued trust and encouragement. Three years in a row! What an incredible honour. Thank you, Merritt, for allowing me to do what I love in the place I am so proud to call home. With heartfelt appreciation,
bailee@flexrealtygroup.ca
BEYOND GRATEFUL!
Whether it’s been a like, comment, share, telling your friends or coming up to me in the grocery store to say how much you liked the last video it’s not lost on me how special it is to serve a community like this. I do my best to try and reflect the values that Merritt holds dear: hard work, treating people kindly, perseverance and don’t forget a sprinkle of laughter to keep everyone smiling.
What makes this award even more special is to win it alongside my colleague and friend Bailee Allen. A truly amazing woman that serves this community selflessly, is the first to volunteer, the last to give up, and from experience I can say one of the best agents in Merritt bar none. To be mentioned in the same conversation as her is as special as being up for consideration at all. Thanks goes to my wife Hilary and son Oscar for being my inspiration and putting up with all my crazy ideas and the time it takes to put into a job like this. If you’re just seeing me for the first time and want to learn more - give me a follow now!
YOU CAN FIND ME EVERYWHERE WORTH LOOKING AT:
BEST REALTOR Tied for 1st place
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
www.merrittherald.com | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | 15 Merritt Herald
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
Best Beer and Wine Store
On behalf of all of us here at the
OLDE BARLEY MARKET
We would like to extend thanks for your patronage over the years and we’ll continue offering the best selections and the best prices in town. Open Daily: 9 am - 11 pm 1975 Voght Street 250-378-8859
THANK YOU,
MERRITT!
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
For voting Love to Dance Academy a 2026 People’s Choice Favourite!
THANK YOU MERRITT! We are truly honoured to be voted
WE APPRECIATE
BEST THRIFT & SECOND HAND STORE A heartfelt thank-you to our wonderful community. Every purchase, donation, and volunteer hour helps us raise funds for essential medical equipment and patient comfort in the Nicola Valley. This recognition belongs to all of you who make a difference in the lives of others. We are proud to serve our community and grateful for all your support.
With sincere appreciation,
❤
Our volunteers and the entire thrift store team
Merritt Herald 2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
YOU!
L O V E
T O
D A N C E
A C A D E M Y E S T
2 0 1 2
admin@lovetodanceacademy.com www.lovetodanceacademy.com
WINNER
Nonprofit Organization
WINNER
Sports Club/Organization
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
Best Dental Office
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Merritt Herald Choice AWARD 2026 People’s Choice AWARD
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2026 People’s
Merritt Herald Choice AWARD
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
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2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
Thank You! Carrie Ware & Company Inc would like to thank the Merritt and area community for voting us the Best Accountant/Bookkeepers for the 2026 People’s Choice Award.
Chartered Professional Accountant Firm 2032 Quilchena Avenue
250-378-2215
Email: reception@carrieware.ca Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
PEOPLE’S
www.merrittherald.com | THURSDAY, October 29, 2026 | 19
Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
THANK YOU, MERRITT!
We’re honoured to be voted Best Plumbing & Heating Company in the 2026 People’s PEOPLE’S
Best Plumbing Company
Choice Awards — our 8th consecutive
WIN!
Your continued trust and support mean the world to us. From our team at Nicola Plumbing & Heating, thank you for choosing local and allowing us to serve the community we’re proud to call home.
Merritt Herald
2019 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
Best Plumbing Company
Nicola Plumbing & Heating was opened on March 29, 1982. It was purchased by Tom Matthias Sr. on January 9, 1987. Together with his sons, Tom Jr. and Mike, he ran his business for 20 years until his retirement. On January 2, 2006, Tom Sr. transferred ownership of Nicola Plumbing & Heating to Tom Jr. and Mike. Together with their wives, Maxine and Jeanette, Nicola Plumbing & Heating, continues to be operated by Tome Jr. Mike, Maxine and Jeanette and continue to offer the same quality workmanship that Tom Sr. had given to the community for many years. In 2012, Nicola Plumbing and Heating purchased the building, located at 2064 Coutlee Ave. The Matthias family has been in Merritt for over 50 years and continues to be a proud part of the community.
Nicola Plumbing Heating Nicola Plumbingand & Heating WE SERVICE: Residential, Commercial & Light Industrial
email: nicplumb@telus.net
Phone: 250-378-4943
2064 Coutlee Ave., P.O. Box 2999 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8
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Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
PEOPLE’S
A HUGE THANK YOU
Best Soup & Best Business Under 10 employeses
to our incredible Valley Graze team!
This People’s Choice RECOGNITION is a reflection OF YOUR HARD WORK, DEDICATION, and the HEART YOU BRING to our café every day. We couldn’t be prouder of the team we’ve built. This one is for you!
2114 Nicola Avenue, Merritt 250-315-1779 | valleygraze.ca Merritt Herald
2026 People’s Choice AWARD
BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP!
PEOPLE’S
LOCALLY OWNED. COMMUNITY TRUSTED.
DCS Auto has been keeping Merritt’s vehicles running smoothly for decades!
From all of us at DCS Auto, thank you for your votes, your loyalty and your continued support. We’re proud to serve the community that has supported us for so many years. Shawn & Dawson Heidi & Beau
dcsauto29@gmail.com 2152 Lauder St., Merritt • 250-378-2929
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CELEBRATING OUR 2026 WINNERS