Skip to content

Penticton business excellence winners announced at Starry Night gala

The late LeAnne Jakubeit wins David Kampe legacy award, Total Restoration wins business of year

Penticton’s Total Restoration was named business of the year at the 34th Penticton Chamber of Commerce business excellence gala Friday night, Nov. 19.

Over 200 people gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the city’s businesses community with what was the first indoor event in two years held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

“This is a time to recognize the strength and endurance of businesses in Penticton,” said emcee Kyle Anderson, retired Penticton radio DJ.

The evening recognized flood victims across B.C. with people being asked to donate funds to help out.

Chamber president Jonathan ‘Tug’ McGraw said judges take five months to determine the finalists and winners of the business excellence awards.

The late LeAnne Jakubeit won the David Kampe legacy award.

Vickie Kampe, niece of the late David Kampe, presented the award to Jakubeit’s husband (and former mayor) Andrew Jakubeit, and LeAnne’s daughter Ronni Carlson.

LeAnne died of cancer one year ago this month.

A moving video on LeAnne’s life was shown to the audience, showing how the founder of the Grooveyard Records was a champion of young people, the arts and her community.

READ MORE: Women In Business: A tribute to Penticton’s grooviest businesswoman

Starting up the record business located in the 300 block of Main Street, LeAnne took the leap as a single mom. She ‘adopted’ a homeless man Tony and hired young people who were socially shy, helping them build confidence and working skills through her kindness to all. She held grad fashion shows and concerts in her store and was a former Chamber director, connecting to the community in many ways.

HERE ARE THE WINNERS OF THE 2021 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Business of the Year:

Total Restoration

Business Leader of the Year:

Lee Agur of Bad Tattoo Brewery

Young Professional of the Year:

Hollie Tayah of Pure Air

Adaptation and Resilience:

Brodo Kitchen

Hospitality:

Slackwater Brewing

Not for Profit:

One Sky

New business 2 Years or Less:

Loki’s Garage

Workplace Culture:

Co-Work

Service Excellence:

Tin Whistle Brewing

Community Support Excellence:

Barry Beecroft Fuel Distributors

David Kampe Legacy Award:

LeAnne Jackubeit

READ MORE: Penticton fuel distributor comes to rescue of stranded guests at Manning Park Resort

READ MORE: Tin Whistle raises $1K for Starfish with 147 beers

READ MORE: Loki’s gets behind Olympic hopeful



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
Read more