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Featured | Illawarra Mercury

Illawarra Mercury Featured

The Wollongong City Centre Retail &amp; Business Awards are happening this&nbsp;Friday night&nbsp;at WIN Entertainment Centre.&nbsp; The awards recognise&nbsp;the significant economic contribution the shopping precinct&nbsp;makes to the local economy.&nbsp;Crown Street Mall and Wollongong Central attract 11 million shoppers a year who spend $320 million. Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said there&nbsp;were 154&nbsp;nominations with 81&nbsp;finalists representing 61 businesses. The 2015 Wollongong City Centre Retail &amp;&nbsp;Business of the Year was&nbsp;OPSM Wollongong.&nbsp;Isabel Carrasco was named employee of the year and and Mobile Phone Hospital Wollongong was&nbsp;shopper's choice.&nbsp; Stay with us as we live blog the awards night.

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The Wollongong City Centre Retail &amp; Business Awards are happening this&nbsp;Friday night&nbsp;at WIN Entertainment Centre.&nbsp;

The Just Groups Evelyn Davies and Otilia Panozzo received the Crown St Mall General Fashion Award for Jay Jays from Matt Cooper, who also presented the Crown St Mall Male Fashion Award to YD store manager Sandy McNamara and Lauren Bitschkat in 2010.

Joint winners for Men's Fashion - Alex Filceski from Michael's Menswear and Laura Castro from Tramps for Men at the 2001 Crown St Mall Retail & Business Awards.

All winners: Crown St Mall marketing manager Cara Pincombe (left), Martin Clark from Gloria Jeans, i98's Marty Haynes and compere John Blackman at the 2003 awards.  

Tramps the Store staff celebrate - Anthony Mamo, Wollongong Central manager, Michael Peros, Luana Castro, Helen Atelj, owner Michael Corban and Jaz Cizaloski in 2005.

Female Fashion award ... pictured is Studibaker manager Gayle Buckley (left) and Daniela Herceg in 2002.

David and Vanessa Cooper of Shellharbour, at the Wollongong City Mall retail and Business awards in 2002.

Retailer of the Year Surf Dive 'n' Ski ... winner Ian Ross is flanked by Wollongong Lord Mayor George Harrison (left) and Councillor Alex Darling in 2002.

David Jones' general manager Bob Gunn and wife Margaret celebrate the Major Stores award win in 2002.

Lube and Lena Markovski, of Sportsco, joint winners with The Athletes Foot for the Accessories and Footwear award in 2002.

Rick Kinkade with Flora Hansen, from Terry White Chemist, winner of the General Retail Service award in 2002.

Winner of the Takeaway and Specialty Food Award was Michel's Patisserie. Pictured is Robert Millington with Fleur Tozer in 2002.

Winner of the Best New Store was Gloria Jean's. Pictured is Sophie Higginbotham (left), Martin Clark and Korrin Cleaver in 2002.

Leisure and Entertainment award winner was Rebel Sport. Pictured are (from left) Jose Aldeguer, Justine Difford, Mitchell Hook and Jessica Smith in 2002.

George and Joanne Issa of Piato, were happy about winning the Cafe and Restaurants award in 2002.

Ian Ross and Jade Roberts, from Surf Dive 'n' Ski, which won the General Fashion award in 2002.

Michael Hill Jeweller employees Melanda Gammone, Jeanette Underwood and Roxanne Emerton celebrate winning the Jewellery award in 2002.

Athletes Foot (joint winner Accessories and Footwear) representatives (from left) Brett and Rachel Magennis and Arthur and Wendy Devenish in 2002.

The 2001 Employee of the Year, Violetta Dzajkovski of Piata, is all smiles after receiving her award at the Retail and Business Awards at the Novotel Northbeach in 2002.

Lisa McKenzie (left) and Kimberley Tick from The Body Shop, winners of the Homewares, Gifts and Telecommunications award in 2002.

Hair and Beauty award winner was Chelsea Artistic Hair and Beauty Group. Pictured are Keely and Peter Thomsen in 2002.

Malcolm Heard and John McEwan's firm Heard McEwan won the Financial and Business Services award in 2002.

Legal eagles: Winners of the business services section, Heard McEwan Lawyers and Russell McLelland Brown Lawyers, celebrate (from left) Malcolm Heard, Andrew Lancaster (WIN), Michael Naughtin and Justine Hall in 2005.

High fashion: Female fashion winner was Jacqui E: Marie Georgeou, director of sales and marketing, Novotel Northbeach, Cheryl Hendy, Evelyn Davies and Lisa Spillane in 2005.

Top of the world: The leisure winner was Harvey World Travel: Paul Spight, Kerrin Strachan, Chantel Bryant, Karen Gray and Deb Tillman in 2005.

Full of juice: Boost Juice Bar won the takeaway and specialty food section celebrating are (from back left) Erin Formosa, Candy Smith and Anika Huda, and (front) Matt Formoso, Kate Floro, Noreen Hay, Lena Markovski, Lube Markovski, Melissa Markovski, and Allen Markovski in 2005.

Good brew: Elke Wilkins, from sponsors Creations in Glass, with the winner of the cafes and restaurants section, Martin Clark from Gloria Jean's in 2005.

Deserved gong: Sponsor David Thomas and general services winner Karen Mason, of Medicare in 2005.

Stellar staff: Kerrin Strachan, of Harvey World Travel, and Jade Wishart, of Salon 66, were named joint winners of the female employee of the year award. They are pictured with Rod Oxley and Susie Elelman in 2005.

On a high: Celebrating being named business of the year are Tramps the Store owner Michael Corban (back from left), Jaz Cizaloski, Amy O'Gorman, Helen Atelj, personality Susie Elelman, Lord Mayor Alex Darling and (front) Luana Castro, Michael Peros and Astrid Carr in 2005.

Family success: Winner of the independent operator 2 Express with presenter Nicole O'Gorman (from left), Erin Markwick, Barry Markwick, Narelle Markwick and Mitchell Markwick in 2005.

Sparkling success: Jewellery and accessories section winner Michael Barrett, from Barretts Jewellers in 2005.

Great start: Winner of the best new store was Boost Health Bar: Tim Stokes, Peter Scrine I98fm station manager Lena Markovski, Lube Markovski, Kat Bourke and Tegan Sturgiss in 2005.

Persuasive lawyers: Sylvia Kotevski, Jan Spence, Megan Spence and Michael Lewis, of RMB Lawyers, at the Crown St Mall Retail Awards in 2008.

Giftwrapped: David Jones' Kelly Amin celebrates winning the homewares, gifts and toys section in 2005.

Giftwrapped: David Jones' Kelly Amin celebrates winning the homewares, gifts and toys section in 2008.

Allyra Owen and Luke Blaas at the Crown St Mall Retail Awards at the Novotel in 2008.

Bradley Flegg, from Myer, the winner of the telecommunications and electrical category, with presenter David Hayden in 2005.

A highlight of the Crown Street retail and business awards night was male employee of the year Brett Griffiths, of David Jones, asking for his $1000 prize be donated to support Aceh orphans in 2005.

People power: Bradley Flegg, from Myer, accepts the shoppers choice award from Illawarra Mercury managing editor Peter Christopher in 2005.

Tramps business partners Michael Corban and Helen Atelj celebrate being named business of the year in 2005.

Male fashion winner was YD, represented by Angela King and Sandra Menamara in 2005.

Footwear category winners were Athlete's Foot owners Wendy and Arthur Devenish in 2005.

Harrison's Pharmacy manager/owner Rony Azar with the health and wellbeing award in 2005.

Rose Kelly and compere for the night Steven Jacobs in 2010.

Kurt Selwood, Gina Grandelis, Maryann Bridge, store manager Anthony Daniel, Melissa Patino, Scott Wilks, Chris Rees and Maria Dawson all celebrated Myer winning the Illawarra Mercury People's Choice Award in 2010.

WIN News sports presenter Amy Taylor (third from left) and Alive and Cooking host James Reeson (centre) named Rossi Simicic Lawyers and Property Source Finance as joint winners of the WIN Television Business Services Award. Accepting the trophies and flowers were Tiana Simicic, Luciana Rossi, Tania Carrasco and John Carrasco in 2010.

Kumfs' Trish McKay, Diana Stricker and Graeme Sly were winners in the i98fm footwear category in 2010.

The Illawarra Mercury's then general manager Ben Marsh (centre) handed the Illawarra Mercury People's Choice Specialty Store Award to Tess Evert, Lexi Brassil, Laura Remfry, Tanya Lambert and Samantha Curtis from Forever New in 2010.

Victoria Sissanes, Jessica Lindsley, Lube Markovski, Lena Markovski, Kelly Markovski, Hannah Too and Jamie O'Connell all celebrated when Nosh was named winner of the Wollongong City Council Takeaway and Specialty Food Award in 2010.

Hair and beauty: Telstra regional general manager Pat Nolan (centre) had the pleasure of presenting the Telstra Hair and Beauty Award to Fabiola Beauty manager Karen Aylett and her team of Diana Vallario, Nicole Upward and Sarah Fowler in 2010.

Kerry Neall, Rebecca Lewis, Paul Vandijk, Vanessa Cooper, Ryan Gracie, Gina Tzioris, Rachael Jones, Iris Garrett, Vera Webster and Rodney Woodruff celebrated David Jones' joint win in the i98fm footwear category in 2010.

Crown St Mall marketing manager Kate Knowles (third from left) presented the Primavera Flowers Independent Operator Award to the Jam Man + Woman team of Kimberly Johnson, Lina Carusi, Anthony Russo, Toni Carusi, Daniela Herceg, Maria Cazzolli and Rosie Solitro in 2010.

Cara Oates (centre) was grateful for all the opportunities The Body Shop had provided her over the past four years when Thomas Creatives' David Thomas named her winner of the Crown St Mall Employee of the Year Award in 2010.

Health and well-being: HCF branch manager Craig Norris, Daniela Mitrevski, Graeme Gulloch, Eileen Murrell and Maria Arsenovic celebrate HCF's win in the Waples Marketing Group Health and Well-being Award in 2010.

Jewellery and accessories: Neil Simon, Susan Simon, Ray Ramanos and Bercin Ramanos were presented the WIN Television Jewellery and Accessories Award by Susie Elelman (centre) in 2010.

General services: Sandra Spight, Allison Vucko, owner Paul Spight, Kerrin Brandon and Fiona Morton were all smiles after David Thomas (centre) presented Travelex Currency Exchange with the Thomas Creative General Services Award in 2010.

Enjoying a drink at the Novotel at Friday night's retail awards were Talitha Kay, Kerrie Mahon and Jeanne McPherson in 2008.

Michael Eggers presented Dancespace 383's Donna and Alan Shingler with the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach Leisure Award in 2010.

Homewares, gifts and toys: The Body Shop's Cathie Gerstenberg, Cara Oates, Ali Philpot and Melissa Thelan received the Creations in Glass Homewares, Gifts and Toys Award from Len Lucas in 2010.

Lining up at the Crown St Mall Retail Awards at the Novotel were Lena Soccorsi, Nevena Veljanov, Tammy Andonovski, Diane Malegan and Lauren Coelho in 2008. 

Triumph: Eric Cabrera (left), Melanie and Chris Sheppard, Tara Eickeler and Michael Lewis were among the team representing top award winner RMB Lawyers in 2010.

Wollongong City Centre chairman Alex Darling (left) had plenty to celebrate with Tara Eickeler, Michael Lewis, Michael Naughtin, Mary Naughtin, Craig Osborne, Nina Culleton, Pat Nolan, Melanie Sheppard, Chris Sheppard, Martin Culleton and Eric Cabrera, when RMB Lawyers was named the Telstra Crown St Mall Business of the Year for the third year running in 2010.

Kate Knowles, Steven Jacobs and Amy Taylor at the Crown St Mall Retail Awards in 2008.

Rose Sissanes, Jennifer Di Bartolomeo and Sue Hegarty were spotted at the Novotel Northbeach for Friday night's Crown St Mall Retail Awards in 2008.

Karen Fahey, Dianne Dryburgh and Helen Oxman at the Crown St Mall Retail Awards in 2008.

T(Life) manager Damien Bull was presented with the Angel Recruitment & Consultancy Group Telecommunications and Electrical Award by Beti Krsteski in 2010.

Centretown Newsagency: Hoa Tang (left), Maria Colla, Dennis Colla and presenter Anthony Russo, Primavera Flowers director in 2011.

Myer: Michelle Lee (left), Kurt Selwood, Graciella Wall, Leonie Stocks, Anthony Daniel, Emma Wilson, Michelle Lewis, Georgina King, Denise Stenlaki, Franka Jansen and presenter Ben Marsh, Mercury general manager in 2011.

(Joint winners) Credit Union Australia (CUA): Justina Rasa (left), Kym Andrew, Troy Banks, Snez Peric, Kyrstal O'Rourke, Jye Cajar, Josephine Tila, Sascha McCabe, Lucy O'Rourke, Natasha Vaccaro and presenter David Thomas in 2011.

David Jones: Elizabeth Vardanega (left), Stephanie Hannah, Rachael Jones, Maria Jurak, Alexander Claussen, Janelle Griffiths, Paul Van Dijk, Rebecca Lewis, Marianne Cuttill, Gabriela Tomevska, Gina Tzioris and presenter David Thomas, director of Thomas Creative in 2011.

Forever New: Kiri Kluewer (left), Lexi Brassil, Tess Evert, Laura Remfry, Natasha Nikolorski, Kristy Miller, Alexandra Clay and presenter Ben Marsh, Illawarra Mercury general manager in 2011.

Lube Markovski of Hairhouse Warehouse, with his wife Lena Markovski in 2011.

RMB Lawyers: Anne Barlow (left), Kathryn Telford, Michael Lewis, Katharine Young, Catherine Holz, Mimi Su and presenter Kate Knowles, business and marketing manager of Wollongong City Centre and Crown St Mal in 2011.

(Joint winners) David Jones and Ziera: Rebecca Lewis (left), Gina Tzioris, Elizabeth Vardanega of David Jones, Trish McKay, Kathy Dalsanto, Diane Sticker, Graeme Sly, Lisa Craig, Fiona Jobson of Ziera and presenter Susie Elelman in 2011.

(Joint winner) Specsavers: Alex Plessas (left), Trent Scanlen, Sonal Scanlen, Mazz Herrera, Talitha Kay, Rebecca Scanlen, Tony Roccon, Melissa Seymour and presenter Amy Taylor, WIN Television. Joint winner City Chic was not present in 2011.

Medusa Hair: Jacqueline Peperkamp (left), May Hoang, Dianne Paziak, Linda Robson, Mandy Cutifani, Hayley Robinson and WIN Local News sports presenter presenter Amy Taylor in 2011.

Alexandar Michaels: Alex (left) and Jo Filceski and presenter Jason Saladino, general manager of radio i98FM in 2011.

Spurling Bridal & Formalwear: Loren Pajkovic (left), Carmel Pasfield, Natasha Price, Pam Price and presenter Marie Lucas, director of Creations In Glass in 2011.

The Body Shop: Melissa Thelan (left), Cara Oates, Cathie Gerstenberg, Danielle Davis, Anita Quinn, Letisha Toaetolu and presenter Troy Banks, regional manager southern NSW, CUA in 2011.

(Joint winners) Westpac: Richard Marsh (left), Jenny Anderson, Stephen O'Meara, Lisa Maruca, Shannon Reskic and presenter David Thomas in 2011.

Ella Bache: Madeline Cole (left), Claire Mosig, Michelle Iovannella, Natasha Griffin, Renee Kotze, Katrina Kalfic and presenter Dean Young, Wollongong Central centre manager in 2011.

Nerida Bland from Angus & Coote treats customers as she would like to be treated in 2011.

Simons Jewellery: Susan (left) and Neil Simon with award presenter and Crown St Mall Ambassador Glen Saville in 2011.

HCF: Vince Di Falco (left), Maria Arsenovic, Craig Norris, Daniela Mitrevski and presenter Rosita O'Keefe, senior accounts manager, Waples Marketing in 2011.

Zac's Cafe Bistro: Michelle Daly, Jenna Attard, Phil Ryan and presenter Michael Eggers, sales marketing manager, Novotel Northbeach in 2011.

Vodafone: Greg Larsen (left), Danny Bakker, Debbie Surridge, Olivia De Santis, Joanna Metzikis, Antoinette Grujic and presenter Annalisa Peiris, Angel Recruitment and Consultancy Group business manager in 2011.

David Jones: Rebecca Lewis (left), Gina Tzioris and presenter David Farmer, Wollongong City Council general manager in 2011.

Piato Cafe: Daniella Peros (left) and presenter Kate Knowles, business and marketing manager of Wollongong City Centre and Crown St Mall in 2011.

Leanne Grant and Margaret Timpano, at the Wollongong City Mall retail and Business awards in 2002.

Lady Mayoress Michelle Darling, Wollongong Lord Mayor Alex Darling and Wollongong City Council general manager Rod Oxley were met with screams of excitement when they named Nadine Kean as Crown St Mall's Employee of the Year in 2003.

Liz Vardanega, Rebecca Flinn, Kelly Amin, Janet Knight, presenter Deputy Lord Mayor Ian Hunt, compere John Blackman and Bob Gunn celebrate David Jones' success in winning the Shoppers Choice Award in 2003.

Crown St Mall marketing manager Cara Pincombe (left), Martin Clark from Gloria Jeans, i98's Marty Haynes and compere John Blackman at last night's awards in 2003.

SureSlim's Jackie Armstrong, Jan Gamble, Fiona Kean, Odette Thomson, Bronwyn Hart, Nicci Freeman and Ross Freeman had plenty to be excited about when SureSlim was named a joint winner of the Best New Store Award in 2003.

left to right Winners Athlete s Foot Arthur Devenish, Emma Simic, Amanda Schier, Rachel Magennis, Wendy Devenish, Brett Magennis in 2003.

Great night: WIN TV's Andrew Lancaster (left), Crown St Mall's Cara Pincombe, Jeanette Underwood of Michael Hill Jewellers and host John Blackman in 2003.

left to right Hayley Evens, Kirbie Tate, Hayley Miller and Juanita Speleta at the awards night in 2003.

The Chelsea Artistic Hair and Beauty Group's Peter Thomsen, Lina Sorrentino, Amy Allen and Keelly Thomsen announced a change in ownership of the business after they were named joint winners with Salon 66, of the Hair and Beauty Award in 2003.

The awards recognise&nbsp;the significant economic contribution the shopping precinct&nbsp;makes to the local economy.&nbsp;Crown Street Mall and Wollongong Central attract 11 million shoppers a year who spend $320 million.

Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said there&nbsp;were 154&nbsp;nominations with 81&nbsp;finalists representing 61 businesses.

The 2015 Wollongong City Centre Retail &amp;&nbsp;Business of the Year was&nbsp;OPSM Wollongong.&nbsp;Isabel Carrasco was named employee of the year and and Mobile Phone Hospital Wollongong was&nbsp;shopper's choice.&nbsp;

Stay with us as we live blog the awards night.

The Wollongong City Centre Retail & Business Awards are on this Friday

Wollongong City Centre Retail & Bus...

The Wollongong City Centre Retail & Business Awards are happening this Friday night at WIN Entertainment Centre.

The Wollongong City Centre Retail & Business Awards are on this Friday

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