As we noted in the first week of our Best in the New England promotion, New Englanders appear to love the small and special businesses that are a essential part of the rich tapestry of New England life.
We delight in our artisans, trust our local tradespeople, and time and time again put local excellence above major brands and big companies.
It is fair to say that most of the businesses and organisations nominated through Best of the New England the vast majority of our readers had never heard of. And yet, they had plenty of loyal customers who were willing to take time out of their day to vote for them.
It is a really hard thing to put apples and oranges against each other, which is why the bulk of Best in the New England categories were fairly narrow on types of business. This final week was tough, and we saw and heard from many people who were struggling with deciding who to vote for. We are spoilt with so many great businesses!
But we can’t do every possible business type – it would take too long! – and it was important to give all the other businesses a shot. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for the businesses you love.
Those businesses that did get a good number of votes in this final week could have easily ticked all the boxes, and most got votes across all categories. And there was one really significant pattern we noticed in the comments on the votes: the voters knew the people who ran the business, often referring to them by name.
So, who was the Best of the Best?
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE: Emporium on Derby, Walcha
Fashion boutique Emporium on Derby in Walcha certainly has some loyal fans who had plenty to say about Leisa’s fabulous customer service.
“Fabulous shop, great customer service and wonderful clothing. Leisa is an asset to our community and we are very grateful to have such a wonderful boutique in Walcha,” said Amy.
“Leisa’s shop is a great little shop in a Walcha. It is warm and welcoming and Lesia stocks clothes that are reasonable and of good quality. She is always happy to see you and is a great advocate for Walcha,” said Sophie.
“E on D has the most fabulously curated fashion and the price is so incredibly reasonable. Leisa provides perfect service and any visit to her store is a delight in itself,” said Jen.
“Leisa is always so welcoming went entering the store and never pressures you to buy her products but is honest about what suits you,” said Alice.
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY: New England Fruit and Vegetables, Gilgai
Best Value for Money was a hotly contested category. The winner, New England Fruit and Vegetables, is a small but excellent grocer in Gilgai that offers deliveries of boxed fruit and veg to neighbouring towns.
“Fruit real fruit and vegetable sourced locally. Best products for value and you can’t beat their customer service,” Raelene said.
“A great company helping other small communities with their outstanding quality fruit and vegetables. Wonderfully kind and helpful. Cannot say enough good qualities about the people or the products,” Melody said.
“Family run business with always fresh produce open 7 days a week. Always friendly and support local charities and also donate there produce to local community foodbanks. Can’t recommend more excellent business who also helps on a frontline level with generous donations of food to on ground organisations giving free food supplies to family’s needing greatly needed support,” Susannah said.
BEST QUALITY: Cross Bros Butchery, Walcha
Still a relatively new business in Walcha, Cross Bros Butchery could have very easily taken out every category, and secured the most votes overall during the week.
“When visiting Walcha I always take home an esky of meat! Jonathan the head butcher and owner is so helpful and has an infectious smile and personality. Happy to assist when choosing different cuts of meat and how best to cook. Always a success. Delicious and Quality Meat, fabulous variety options,” Robyn said.
“Customer service is above and beyond. Special orders made with no hesitation, high quality products and an extremely large variety that continues to change with what’s been asked of them,” Juls said.
“Customer service is exceptional, lots of laughs and the best quality meat. We stop here every time we are travelling through Walcha. Five stars,” Nicole said.
“Quality of meat outstanding, customer service always happy friendly and helpful. Always helping community with sponsorship etc.” Marie said.
BEST COMMUNITY SUPPORTER: Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard, Armidale; Fernlee Station Camping, Ashford
The Best Community Supporter category was also tightly contested, with two businesses sharing the title in the end… for entirely different reasons.
Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard in the Armidale Mall is a beloved institution who could have very easily also taken out best quality and best customer service, but in the end, it was the tireless advocacy of Beattie Alvarez in championing other local businesses and bringing life back to the mall that won them a Best of the Best award.
“Not only is this store full of absolutely amazing (many handmade) magical goodies, they champion all other local business and are the first to put their hand up to be a part of events that help support our town and other small businesses,” Stella said.
“Handmade toys that are exceptional quality. If the toys are half eaten by a dog, or some such, they repair for free! Absolute dedication to their customers, and a lovely, quirky store, with a beautiful family running it. Always supporting the community,” Helen said.
“Beattie Alvarez, who owns and runs Granny Fi’s, a uniquely quirky, boutique, hand-made toy shop, is an incredibly enthusiastic and committed shop owner, toymaker, and community supporter. She is tireless in her efforts to attract the community into Armidale’s lovely, but often far too quiet shopping precinct,” Lyn said.
Fernlee Station is a working cattle property and equine therapy centre that offers three discrete camping sites along the river. Susannah and family also do a lot of volunteering, and allow first responders and veterans to camp for free as a way of giving back.
“If you’ve stayed at Fernlee Station camping grounds, then you’ll know what I’m talking about! It’s absolutely stunning, the owner, Susannah Simpson and her family are really friendly and go out of their way to make sure you’re comfortable and even have provided the firewood on site! The family are lovely and they have been helping out their own community with various other projects too” Amber said.
“This family has amazing Severn River camping, camp sites are always immaculate, Susannah is always so helpful. On top of this anyone who is a Veteran or First responder stays free as this is how they give back to frontline service personnel, as Susannah always says as they have given so much. This family also helps in countless other volunteer work with Aussie Hay runners, Rotary, Ashford’s Food Bank , Drought Angles, Cameron Baird VC MG and endless others,” Jenny said.
“The family offers a service not seen nearly anywhere else, with emphasis on supporting military and first responder veterans. Giving some of our more vulnerable persons in the community a chance to unwind. Many veterans will travel from far and wide which is a testament to the business. The beautiful family are friendly and eager to assist wherever they can, with some of the most beautiful and easily accessible campgrounds available. They are happy to be social or leave you be ,depending on your preference. Either way, the camping, a spot of fishing and peace is very welcomed,” John said.
BEST EMPLOYER: KCL Child Care, Inverell
Best Employer was a tough category, with most of the businesses being nominated being quite small, so only getting one or two votes – although there were lots of businesses with votes! What set KCL apart was that their clients felt they must be a good employer because the staff were happy – which when you’re talking about the people caring for your kids, is so very important.
The quotes here are from the staff themselves:
“They are amazing to work for, I have worked for 17 years under them and had the most amazing support personally and work wise.”
“You just couldn’t get any better employer! Kristy Partridge is most understanding, loyal boss, caring, she is so dedicated to the field of childcare and has a passion for all their needs. She puts 100% into each day and it’s a pleasure to work for her.”
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Best in the New England, and congratulations to all our winners. See the full winners gallery here.
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