OPSM Wollongong is the 2015 Wollongong City Centre retail and business of the year award winner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The eye-care centre was named the overall winner after earlier in the night winning the healthcare, lifestyle and fitness award at the Destination Wollongong-hosted function on behalf of the Wollongong City Council.
Isabel Carrasco was named employee of the year and and Mobile Phone Hospital Wollongong took out the prize for shopper's choice.
Other winners announced on Friday night were Howlin Wolf Bar, Skin Correctives, The Social@IPAC, Meakins Jewellers, Taking Shape, Ferrari Formalwear and Bridal, Mister Minit, The Greater Building Society Wollongong, The Fox & the Hair, Aussie Disposals, Credit Union Australia, Rip Curl, Balinese Spice Magic Restaurant and Catering, Access Law Group, MMJ Real Estate, Dagwood Bar and Kitchen, and Chifley Wollongong.
The category with the biggest number of finalists was the new business category that had a field of 11 stores ranging from homeware outlets to restaurants, bars to beauty, fashion accessories and female fashion.
In all there were 87 finalists across 17 categories.
Destination Wollongong's general manager Mark Sleigh said it was great to have such a strong field of businesses vying for success. He said Wollongong city centre was experiencing unprecedented infrastructure investment, with more than $750 million in construction either completed or under way.
"This includes the award-winning addition to Wollongong Central and the refurbishment of the Crown Street Mall that were both completed in late 2014," Mr Sleigh said.
"We're now seeing the positive impact of these developments."
Wollongong lord mayor, councillor Gordon Bradbery, said the awards night drew attention to the diversity of business in the Wollongong CBD.
"There's everything here from small bars to spas and home wares and it's testament to the wide range of businesses opting to set up in Wollongong.
"This, in turn, is good news for other retailers, businesses and those who live in the city or come here to work and socialise," Mr Bradbery said.
The awards were presented by Destination Wollongong on behalf of the Wollongong City Council with the support of presenting partner Commonwealth Bank.
Winners of the 2015 Wollongong City Centre Retail and Business of the Year Awards:
WOLLONGONG CITY CENTRE RETAIL & BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
■Winner - OPSM Wollongong.
BAR AWARD
■Winner - Howlin Wolf Bar.
■Highly Commended - The Little Prince.
BEAUTY AWARD
■Winner - Skin Correctives.
CAFE, TAKEAWAY AND SPECIALTY FOODS AWARD
■Winner - The Social@IPAC.
FASHION ACCESSORIES AND FOOTWEAR AWARD
■Winner - Meakins Jewellers.
■Highly commended - Specsavers Wollongong.
FEMALE FASHION AWARD
■Joint winners - Taking Shape and Ferrari Formalwear and Bridal.
GENERAL SERVICE PROVIDER AWARD
■Joint winners Mister Minit and The Greater Building Society Wollongong.
HAIR AWARD
■Winner - The Fox & the Hair.
HEALTHCARE, LIFESTYLE AND FITNESS AWARD
■Winner - OPSM Wollongong.
HOMEWARES, GIFTS AND TOYS AWARD
■Winner - Aussie Disposals Wollongong.
MAJOR STORE AWARD
■Winner - Credit Union Australia.
MALE FASHION AWARD
■Winner - Rip Curl.
NEW BUSINESS AWARD
■Winner - Balinese Spice Magic Restaurant and Catering.
■Highly commended - The Throsby.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER AWARD
■Joint winners - Access Law Group and MMJ Real Estate.
RESTAURANT AWARD
■ Dagwood Bar and Kitchen.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRICAL
■Winner - Mobile Phone Hospital Wollongong.
TOURISM AND TRAVEL SERVICES AWARD
■Winner - Chifley Wollongong.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
■Winner - Isabel Carrasco.
■Highly commended - Alana Dryden.
SHOPPER’S CHOICE AWARD
■Winner Mobile Phone Hospital Wollongong.