ESTEVAN — The Estevan Mercury is proud to present our Best of Estevan special for 2023.
For the first time in three years, the Mercury offered Best of Estevan, thanks to a desire from the community to see the promotion return. And people responded accordingly, as we received thousands of votes once again this year.
The public voted for their favourite businesses and services through the ballot found in the Mercury in late February and early March and through an online ballot.
You can find the winners of this year's promotion throughout this special keepsake publication. The businesses are proud to receive the awards and they are thanking customers through ads.
Estevan Mercury sales manager Pat Pasloski said it was so much fun bringing back Best of Estevan.
"We thought it was again time to acknowledge our readers' choices and our local businesses. There have been lots of changes in the economy and in our cultural community in the past few years which have led to innovative and creative new businesses that we are lucky to have."
Estevan's local businesses are resilient and competitive, Pasloski said, and have become more diversified in their offerings because of various problems associated with the pandemic. They overcame the challenges and kept up the good job, and some will be soon putting new plaques up next to recognitions from before.
"I see many previous winners proudly displaying their certificates from previous years and I think that is great," said Pasloski.
The Mercury held Best of Estevan competitions in 2011, 2018 and 2020. This time public voted for some of the long-time winners, but there are also many businesses that were chosen the best in their field for the first time.
"Personally, I think a People's Choice Award is more significant than an Academy Award," said Pasloski. "Every business has its customer base and is looking for ways to increase that. Acknowledgement is important for businesses just as it is for people."
Best of Estevan also serves as a reminder of the diversity that Estevan has in its business community. It shows how many different services we have, she said, and that you can find all you need in Estevan. You don't need to go shopping in another community.
Pasloski noted that one business owner told her that if he won, it would be an indication that his marketing was on the right track and he was doing things properly. Regular advertising creates top-of-mind awareness and branding is important in every aspect of marketing, she said. But then the customer service and the product offered must meet the expectations offered in the advertising.
Some favourites have made a return to claim their Best of Estevan award yet again. Others have been around for years and have earned an award for the first time. And then there are those new businesses that have earned their first Best of Estevan certificates.
"Looking back through several years of Best of Estevan winners, it is sad to see some old favourite businesses are no longer around. Of course, some have been bought out or merged and moved forward to be even more successful," said Pasloski.
"The Estevan Mercury has been telling your stories and publishing your ads for 120 years. Just imagine the names of businesses that have graced our pages – what history.
"We are proud to present our winners with their titles, with some winning more than one category. And we acknowledge and thank all businesses for their contributions to our community. Not just with their services and goods but also with their donations, community and customer service, and friendly competition," said Pasloski.
"We like to think that Best of Estevan is not a title that you can rest upon. All of the businesses voted for have made enough of an impression on their customers or clients to make them vote. That is impressive. Business owners and managers don't have easy jobs; it is never-ending. We salute and appreciate you all.
"Thank you for acknowledging the businesses that have made a difference in your lives and for taking the time to vote."
