Local businesses, organizations recognized at inaugural Best of Davis County Celebration
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- From left to right: Clearfield Mayor Mark Shepherd, Davis Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Angie Osguthorpe, Young Automotive Group Operations Director Oliver Young and Standard-Examiner Publisher Jim Konig on stage Friday, June 6, 2025, at the 2025 Best of Davis County Awards Celebration.
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- Standard-Examiner Publisher Jim Konig and Davis Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Angie Osguthorpe pose for a photo with Layton Mayor Joy Petro, as well as Davis Arts Council’s Kristin Wojciechowski and Emilio Casillas on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the 2025 Best of Davis Awards Celebration.
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- Standard-Examiner Publisher Jim Konig and Davis Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Angie Osguthorpe pose for a photo with Championship Martial Arts’ Caleb Collier and others on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the 2025 Best of Davis Awards Celebration.
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- The 2025 Best of Davis Awards Celebration was held Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Young Automotive Group headquarters.
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- Standard-Examiner Publisher Jim Konig and Davis Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Angie Osguthorpe pose for a photo with Young Automotive Group Operations Director Oliver Young Friday, June 6, 2025, after the Young Group received multiple awards.
LAYTON — It was a packed house at the Young Automotive Group’s headquarters Friday morning as representatives from local businesses, schools, municipalities and other entities gathered to recognize the people and organizations who contribute to life and commerce in Davis County.
The inaugural Best of Davis County Awards Celebration — presented by the Standard-Examiner and the Davis Chamber of Commerce — was held at the spacious Layton facility. But given the significant turnout for the event, Davis Chamber President/CEO Angie Osguthorpe said they may need a bigger venue.
“We’re planning on doing (the event) every year as we go forward, so we’re excited about that,” Osguthorpe said. “The Young Automotive Group was kind enough to let us do that in their venue. They have a new venue, this is a beautiful space, but I have a feeling we might be outgrowing it quickly and that’s a good problem to have.”
In years past, winners have been announced in the Standard-Examiner newspaper, in a special section or magazine and also online. However, Osguthorpe is relishing the opportunity to see excellence within the county honored among peers.
“We were excited to get the opportunity to partner with the Standard-Examiner,” Osguthorpe said. “They have done the voting and that part of it for several years and we wanted to be a part and actually have a celebration instead of just the voting and the winners. We wanted to be able to celebrate (the winners).”
Nearly 300 organizations were honored in categories spanning fields such as area attraction, community and entertainment, family and recreation, food and dining, goods and shopping, health and beauty, home services and professional services. Winners in attendance Friday were presented with their awards, after which they posed for photos.
Clearfield Mayor Mark Shepherd, who served as emcee for the celebration, said that it’s important to recognize the organizations and individuals doing business in the county.
“These are the people who make cities happen,” Shepherd said. “We’re all, as mayors and council members, we’re looking at how do we bring business into the city? Who do we bring into the city? And, sometimes, I think we forget some of those businesses that are actually in your city making a huge difference.
“From a car dealership … down to our realtor, our accountant, the home remodeler that you don’t even know because he works mostly out of his house and has a truck with his name on it, and that’s all you ever see of him — these are the people who make cities work. These are the things that make cities places we want to live.”
Among the winners was the Edward A. Kenley Centennial Amphitheater, which was recognized as Davis County’s best live music venue.
“So honored to receive the award,” said Davis Arts Council interim Executive Director Kristin Wojciechowski. “We’re celebrating 30 years at the Kenley this year, so it’s an honor to be recognized.”
That celebration will occur at 6 p.m. Sunday and will feature a green room open house, a program celebrating its past, present and future, as well as a free concert with the classic rock tribute band Mid-Life Crisis.
Kaysville’s Championship Martial Arts was recognized as the county’s best karate studio. Having been born and raised in the county, owner/instructor Caleb Collier was humbled by the recognition. However, his top priority continues to be helping youth realize their potential, as his school has done for two decades.
“The goal for us is to not just build martial arts champions, but to build champions in all aspects of their lives; help them be focused and disciplined,” Collier said. “That’s what makes what we do amazing. We get to work with kids and see them just blossom into the people they should be.”
Meanwhile, Young Automotive Group Operations Director Oliver Young was taken aback by his organization’s award wins. Young dealerships were recognized as the county’s best new car dealer, best ATV retailer, best motorcycle dealer and best snowmobile retailer, respectively.
“That’s such a big deal. I mean, community recognition is awesome,” Young said, noting that some of the recognized retailers are “businesses that we’ve been trying to grow.”
For a full list of winners, go to https://www.standard.net/bestofdavis/.
