Ryan Bartsoff shows off his feature story in last year's winners edition.--NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
MO CRANKER
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com
Twitter: mocranker
It’s that time of the year again, when Medicine Hat decides which businesses are the best in the city.
Voting for this year’s Best of Medicine Hat contest opens Jan. 30 and runs until Feb. 21. It will feature all the categories Hatters have come to expect.
In the past 12 months Hatters have seen the importance of shopping local during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s Best of Medicine Hat, a showcase on all local businesses, may be the most important yet.
Ryan Bartsoff’s downtown cannabis shop Giving and Receiving won its category in its first year of existence. He says winning the category gave a nice boost to his already growing business.
“It allowed us a chance to reach out to the public and let them know who we are,” he said. “Once we won, it allowed us to show new and returning customers who we are and what we’re about.
“We’re local and we care about people.”
Bartsoff says he hears about News articles about him and the store at least once per day.
Taylor Kopperud and Helen Sanderson are in charge of things at Pet Park Boarding Kennel. The duo says
“We believe as a business to win this title, it helps to show the community who people entrust with their needs. Which for pet care, it is important for people to know that there pets are being taken care of properly and treated as our own,” they said.
“As well during the hardships this year the winning has helped us maintain clientele, as well as gain new.”
Unlimited Characters was named best bookstore in the city. Owner George Giffen says it is an honour to win the category.
“Winning really makes me feel like I’m a part of the community,” he said. “It’s a good feeling.
“The outreach of the community, of the appreciation via digital services because of COVID-19 was greatly appreciated and acknowledged.”
