And the award for best record store goes to...

Congratulations to Meow Records, the winner of CBC Radio 3's Searchlight contest and according to the Canadian voting public, the Best Record Store in Canada.

CBC Radio 3's Grant Lawrence announced the winner around 4:15 P.M. ET this afternoon (April 18). The Prince George, BC indie retailer beat out stiff competition from the four other nominees - Back Alley Music (Charlottetown PEI), Backstreet Records (Saint John NB), Sound Connection (Edmonton AB), Taz Records (Halifax NS) - winning by the narrow margin of 26 votes.

When called to inform her of the victory, a surprised Meow owner Bryndis Ogmundson said, “Wow, this is so crazy. I’m shaking. It’s such a great honour... I want to say congratulations to everyone that was nominated, because I think this is such a hard business to be in.”

Ogmundson only just opened the relatively humble Meow 16 months ago in a downtown Prince George basement. But it quickly developed a faithful following. “You know, Prince George has such a bad rap, but people should really come here and see how cool it’s gotten,” she added.

Asked how she'll celebrate, Ogmundson said: "I have a roller derby practice tonight, and then I’ll go party.”

Of course, all of this comes in preparation for the big celebration of tomorrow's now-international Record Store Day. So, go out and support your local independent record shop... and even the major chains too.