As we wrap up the first week of our Best in the New England promotion, it’s clear that New England loves its small and special businesses more than the big and well-known.
Not one of the winners in this first week of the promotion was a major national brand franchise, they are all founded and owned locally. All of our winners and many of the runners-up were praised for their great service, high quality product, and some unique attribute that made them special and valued. And many considered the business they were voting for a local secret that they wanted to share!
The largest of our winners, TG’s Child Care, is the first from Armidale, despite 40% of New England Times readers being in Armidale. It’s a thoroughly local business that started in Armidale by Gayle and Trevor Kee in 1998. And it embodies many things that people love about the New England: making the most of our beautiful natural environment, and having fun while you’re at it.
Uralla’s Top Pub has always held a special place in the heart of many New Englanders, some far beyond Uralla. That is was closely followed by the Bundarra pub (Commercial Hotel, but I’m sure some of you had to think twice about what it was actually called), and the Apsley Arms in Walcha, with the Pally Pub and Emmaville Panther Pub & Tattersalls Hotel rounding out the top 5 in a field with over 50 nominees, underscores how special and valued our small town pubs are.
Inverell owned the week, picking up three awards in a row – Best Real Estate going to the local and independent RDR Real Estate, Best Butcher to the family owned Lennon’s Butchery, and best Fashion Retailer to Cutting Edge Country, run by inspiring young Inverell entrepreneur Jess Mathewson who began the unique business in 2015 when she was just 18 years old.
And our very first winners, 61 Balo in Moree, are going to have to consider replacing their description as ‘Moree’s best kept secret’ as word of their friendly service and amazing coffee gets out, and the buzz about the business has certainly stepped up a notch since the change of ownership in February to Sarah Grant with Mick and business partner Jacob.
The most passionate competition by far was in the butchery category, where service with a smile and high quality of product got many people to shower many local businesses with high praise. Lennon’s great product and service with the side helping of a few laughs only just beat two contenders from Glen Innes, Campbell’s whose supporters praised their quality and service, and the Bruce Family Butchery who were loved for their commitment to farm to table meat production. Dale’s Downtown Meats in Uralla, whose voters were passionate about their sausages and gluten free range, and No Bull Butchery in Inverell, whose voters were passionate about their different products and recipe experimentation, rounded out the top five. All five had fans from out of town who would either travel or do bulk orders from their preferred butchery.
We were a little concerned that as a straight popular vote competition the winners would be dominated by Tamworth businesses, but once again the passion of our smaller centres will not be denied.
And for those considering getting into business or relocating their business to the New England, it should give great confidence that if you have great product and great service, New England locals will support you.
We have a couple more weeks to go and plenty more categories to come as we search for the ultimate list of the Best in the New England. Plus every vote is also an entry for our weekly cash giveaway! Congratulations to our first winner Heather from Tingha who scored $500 yesterday.
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