2012 People’s Choice Awards Winners: Vancouver Island

Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural People’s Choice Awards from Vancouver Island!

Finalists from every corner of the Island competed for the prestigious title of “BC’s Best”!

We’re delighted to reveal the fine businesses, services and attractions that beat out some tough competition to win top honours.

Best Cafe

Winner: Atlas Café, Courtenay

1st Runner Up: Café Brio, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Odika Café, Chemainus

Best Patio

Winner: Canoe, Victoria

1st Runner Up: Rooftop at the Sticky Wicket, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Painters Lodge, Campbell River

Best Breakfast/Brunch

Winner: Gabriel's Café, Nanaimo

1st Runner Up: John's Place Restaurant, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Atlas Café, Courtenay

Best Restaurant

Winner: Pagliacci's, Victoria

1st Runner Up: Astera's Greek Taverna, Nanaimo

2nd Runner Up: Sobo Restaurant, Tofino

Best Desserts

Winner: Old Town Bakery, Ladysmith

1st Runner Up: The Market on Yates, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Rebar Modern Food Restaurant, Victoria

Best Grocery Store

Winner: Thrifty Foods (Various Locations)

1st Runner Up: Quality Foods (Various Locations)

2nd Runner Up: Country Grocer (Various Locations)

Best Health Food Store

Winner: Planet Organic Market, Victoria

1st Runner Up: Lifestyle Markets, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Naked Naturals Foods & Supplements (Various Locations)

Best Spa

Winner: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort & Spa, Parksville

1st Runner Up: Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa, Courtenay

2nd Runner Up: Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa, Victoria

Best Fitness Centre

Winner: Core Essentials, Nanaimo

1st Runner Up: GoodLife Fitness, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Bodyworks Fitness, Parksville

Best Sports Store

Winner: Frontrunners (Various Locations)

1st Runner Up: Sport Mart (Various Locations)

2nd Runner Up: Sports Traders, Victoria

Best Home Decor Store

Winner: HomeSense (Various Locations)

1st Runner Up: Chintz and Company, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: JYSK, Nanaimo

Best Hardware Store

Winner: Home Hardware (Various Locations)

1st Runner Up: Home Depot (Various Locations)

2nd Runner Up: Canadian Tire (Various Locations)

Best Gardening Store

Winner: Art Knapp Plantland, Nanaimo

1st Runner Up: Dig This (Various Locations)

2nd Runner Up: Cultivate Garden & Gift, Parksville

Best Park/Public Garden

Winner: The Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay

1st Runner Up: Beacon Hill Park, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

Best Tourist Attraction

Winner: The Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay

1st Runner Up: Inner Harbour, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Royal BC Museum, Victoria

Best Accommodation

Winner: The Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino

1st Runner Up: The Magnolia Hotel & Spa, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: The Beach Club Resort, Parksville

Best Camp Site

Winner: Pacific Rim National Park

1st Runner Up: Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Parksville

2nd Runner Up: Living Forest Oceanside Campground & RV Park, Nanaimo

Best Golf Course

Winner: Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria

1st Runner Up: Crowne Isle, Courtenay

2nd Runner Up: Morningstar Golf Club, Parksville

Best Bar/Pub

Winner: Longwood Brew Pub & Restaurant, Nanaimo

1st Runner Up: Spinnaker's Brewpub, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Penny Farthing Old English Pub, Victoria

Best Live Music Venue

Winner: The Port Theatre, Nanaimo

1st Runner Up: Irish Times Pub, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: The Waverley, Cumberland

Best Local Festival

Winner: Vancouver Island MusicFest, Courtenay

1st Runner Up: Parksville Beach Festival, Parksville

2nd Runner Up: Taste: Festival of Food & Wine, Victoria

Best Hair Salon

Winner: On The Fringe Hair Design, Victoria

1st Runner Up: Melody's Shear Attitude, Qualicum Beach

2nd Runner Up: Pure Elements Spa, Sooke

Best Clothing Store

Winner: Winners (Various Locations)

1st Runner Up: The Patch Clothing, Victoria

2nd Runner Up: Close to You, Parksville

Best Beauty Store

Winner: Sephora, Victoria

1st Runner Up: The Body Shop (Various Locations)

2nd Runner Up: MAC Cosmetics (Various Locations)

Best Local Media Personality

Winner: Hudson Mack, CTV Vancouver Island

1st Runner Up: Paul Haysom, CHEK TV

2nd Runner Up: Dave Sawchuk, The Zone 91.3

More winners from across BC!

Check out more winners from the other parts of BC:

Vancouver & the Lower Mainland

The Interior Region (BC Rockies & the Okanagan)

Northern BC & Cariboo Chilcotin Coast