by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — Whitewater Brewing Co. won the Large Business award from the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“We were surprised we were the large business of the year,” said Chris Thompson, adding, “We still consider ourselves a small business.”
Chris Thompson (High Tower) and Chris Thompson, who are not related, are the owners of this Whitewater Region company which turns four next month.
High Tower said they employ 62 full and part-time employees, with about 50 of them being full time.
High Tower, who attended the chamber awards banquet held Saturday in Pembroke, said it was mentioned the community events the company sponsors and participates in was one of the reasons given for the nomination for the award.
The community events the Whitewater Brewing Co. has been involved in include the most recent flooding, where soup and sandwiches were made for those doing the sandbagging, said Chris.
Chris noted this is a team effort award.
“We have amazing people working for us,” he said. They care about quality of the food, of the beer and of the music.”
High Tower also noted the community has “always been our biggest cheerleader. It’s nice to be so fully embraced by the community.
“They are the ambassadors of our company.”
Chris noted the people feel comfortable with them and don’t shy away from telling them what’s good and bad, but in a positive way.
The company is four years old on June 3 and a celebration is planned at the Riverside site at the intersection of Fletcher Road and Grants Settlement Road, where it all began, Chris said. There will be live music, a variety of games, a volleyball tournament and various vendors have been invited to the site.
The Riverside site is open on weekends starting tomorrow (Friday, May 19) and then full-time starting in June.
The Thompsons’ also note the summer beers will soon be available, which are ginger wheat, melon blonde and rhubarb wheat.
Editor’s Note: Westmeath business woman Dana Nicholson won the Entrepreneur of the Year award. She was out of the country for the awards’ ceremony, so Whitewater News will catch up with her next week.
