They work for completely different enterprises in completely different industries but husband and wife Toby Dawson and Carla Hart were both winners at Friday night’s Wollongong City Centre Retail and Business Awards.
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Ms Hart won the best new store category after opening Wildflower Floral Stylists with her long time friend Tegan Boardman in Court Lane in December.
It is a quirky florist and events boutique near the Wesley Church in Court Lane that offers creative floral arrangements for corporate customers, wedding bouquets and styling as well as event and shop styling.
Wildflower also sells artwork by local artists, recycled pieces and homewares.
While her husband Mr Dawson is a former Illawarra Young Business Executive of the Year and Cancer Council regional manager who started a new role as manager of the IRT Foundation in April 2015. It picked up the innovation award before a large crowd at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday night.
The IRT Foundation is the benevolent arm of IRT aims to create opportunities for people to age without barriers and Mr Dawson will lead the foundation's community grants, research and education and advocacy programs.
Another popular winner was Balinese Spice Magic Restaurant and Catering which took out the Restaurant Award just two years after opening.
The major Retail/Business of the Year Award for 2016 was won by McGrath Estate Agents, Employee of the Year went to Christopher Connolly, of Mister Minit Wollongong, and she Shoppers Choice Award was won by Mobile Phone Hospital Wollongong.
Howlin Wolf Bar was named best bar, Skin Correctives won the beauty award, Bendon Wollongong the Fashion Accessories & Footwear Award and Taking Shape the Female Fashion Award.
The cafe, takeaway and specialty foods winner was The Square Cafe Restaurant Bar, the General Service Provider Award went to Best Kitchens, The Fox and the Hair took out the hair award and Specsavers Wollongong the Healthcare, Lifestyle & Fitness Award.
In the homewares, gifts and toys category Inspired Tribe came out winner while NAB Wollongong won the Major Store Award, Trenery the Male Fashion Award and McGrath Estate Agents picked up the professional service provider win.
2016 Wollongong City Centre Retail & Business Award winners
- Retail/Business of the Year - McGrath Estate Agents
- Employee of the Year - Christopher Connolly, Mister Minit Wollongong
- Shoppers Choice - Mobile Phone Hospital Wollongong
- Bar - Howlin Wolf Bar
- Beauty - Skin Correctives
- Café, Takeaway & Specialty Foods - The Square Cafe Restaurant Bar
- Fashion Accessories & Footwear - Bendon Wollongong
- Female Fashion - Taking Shape
- General Service Provider - Best Kitchens
- Hair - The Fox and the Hair
- Healthcare, Lifestyle & Fitness - Specsavers Wollongong
- Homewares, Gifts & Toys - Inspired Tribe
- Innovation - IRT Foundation
- Major Store - NAB Wollongong
- Male Fashion - Trenery
- New Store - Wildflower Floral Stylists
- Professional Service Provider - McGrath Estate Agents
- Restaurant - Balinese Spice Magic Restaurant