No stranger to Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Awards, Cilantro and Chive has been nominated for Large Business of the Year.
“It is incredibly humbling to be nominated, especially alongside some very big names in community,” Owner Rieley Kay said.
Kay called D&M Concrete Products and Nowco Home Hardware institutions in Lacombe and added they often try to emulate the impact those businesses have had on the community. He was also surprised even to be in the large business category, after only going into business just over seven years ago.
“It is crazy to see how our growth,” he said.
In terms of being nominated, Kay pointed to continuing on a tradition of community involvement they began when they started.
We have been able to do what we do because of the guests coming through the doors and supporting us and what we are able to do in the community, from different Burgers of the Month and supporting other charitable organizations that are doing things in the community,” he said
Being able to work and promote businesses, organizations and communities in central Alberta has been one of the most rewarding parts of Cilantro and Chive’s success for Kay and his team.
“There are communities around us that are doing great things and there are a lot of things going on in our back yard we can we help promote and be a part of,” he said.
Being part of the business community in Lacombe has also enabled the restaurant to succeed and grow.
“Their is support; there is looking out for each other; there is encouragement; there is excitement — it is amazing in this town,” he said.
Looking out for each other, alongside friendly competition, has helped the community attract visitors, according to Kay.
“There is a lot of competition in different industries but we can achieve more together, building our community as a destination and being able to draw people in from Edmonton, Calgary and beyond,” he said.
Kay was reluctant to provide specifics of what the future has in store for Cilantro and Chive, but he expects it will be built off their current formula.
“We just keep looking at each and everyday as trying to be better than what we were and striving for the best we can personally and as a business,” he said.
He added, “I’m jacked to see who wins. It is almost a shame that one person has to win, especially with the names there.”
todd.vaughan@lacombeexpress.com
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