One of Swift Current's pharmacies has claimed a distinguished local award.

During the Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award Gala last Friday, Shoppers Drug Mart was designated as the Large Business of the Year.

The big win at Living Sky Casino Event Centre was a shocking reveal to Associate Owner Paul Bazin and his team.

"We're very excited to win, obviously it's a huge honour to be selected by the Chamber for such a prestigious award," he said. "Against such very tough businesses [competition-wise] that do a lot of great things for the community."

S3 Group Ltd. and Southwest Terminal were the other two finalists for the award that required nominees to have at least 16 full-time staff. 

Bazin who became the owner of the Swift Current Shoppers Drug Mart in 2018 pointed to his business' community involvement and the overall store environment as standout qualities.

"We offer what I think is exceptional customer service," he said. "We're definitely there for our customers day-in and day-out and the culture in our store, it's a great place to work."

Over the last three years, the store has grown in employees by 35 per cent to nearly 50 workers.

"The growth in our staff is really speaking just to the growth of the business," he said. "As the business grows, as we become a little bit more popular in the community, obviously the need for more staff is there."  

The need for more employees comes from growth within three departments, pharmacy, cosmetics, and front store.

The glass award will be on display in the store shortly, once Bazin and his team can find the ideal spot to showcase it.

"It's quite heavy and breakable I'm told," he said with a laugh. "I want to make sure we find a spot that's safe but obviously visible so that Swift Current can see what a wonderful team I have."