Close to a hundred local business people gathered at Meadow Gardens Tuesday night to be honoured for their exceptional customer service.

TIMES readers once again cast ballots and picked this community’s best businesses for the 2012 Readers’ Choice awards.

Consequently, shop owners and staff representing many of the winning companies attended an awards reception where they were lauded for these accomplishments.

Leading the congratulatory charge was TIMES publisher Spencer Levan, who commended every business owner – whether they were first time winners or like Dr. Michael Orser of Alouette Animal Hospital who has won every year since the program’s inception 13 years ago.

“You people are all winners… congratulations to all of you,” said Levan – who despite being part of the team that created Readers Choice, had never actually attended any of the past awards ceremony.

Of course that all changed tonight, and he was tickled to be there to personally congratulate so many outstanding businesses from both Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

“One of the best things about our awards is it’s truly decided by our readers,” he said.

“The amount of advertising in our paper doesn’t guarantee you an award. We like to think we get them into your business, then it’s up to you to get to this spot. So, congratulations. It proves that all of you provide excellent service to your customers and the people you serve,” Levan concluded.

* Stay tuned for more coverage in the print and online editions of The TIMES.