More than 10,900 public votes were cast for 295 businesses across the 11 categories in this year’s Eastside Business Awards, with new and familiar businesses crowed the “best in the East”.

City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria, who was one of the judges, said he greatly appreciated the community’s ongoing support of the Awards.

“This year we had a record number of votes from the public – about 4000 more than in 2020,” Mayor Bria said.

“This demonstrates the local community – and visitors to Norwood Payneham & St Peters – are continuing to support local businesses, particularly as they faced ongoing struggles due to COVID restrictions over the past two years.”

Mayor Bria said one of the stalwarts of the local business community is James Thredgold who received the prestigious Hall of Fame Award.

Thredgold has been crafting fine jewellery for his clients for 25 years after he opened his first Norwood boutique in 1997 and, last night he praised The Parade and wider community for being a great place to run a business.

“I absolutely love The Parade, its vibrancy,” he said.

“I just think that something like The Parade can’t be controlled by one person. And I just think that it continually evolves year after year after year.”

The Minister for Small and Family Business, Andrea Michaels, also attended the event at St Peters Banquet Hall.

Michaels said the newly created ministry reinforces the importance of local business.

“We are a small business state and we should be proud of that,” she said.

“Small businesses in this Council area punch way above their weight… and this is a chance for us to pull out of a COVID world and help set up our small businesses to excel.”

The Awards are supported by Solstice Media, the publisher of InDaily, CityMag and SALIFE.

Solstice Media’s Jim Plouffe, who also judged the Awards, said the two new categories this year – Best Arts & Culture/Entertainment Experience and Best Professional Service – reflected the diversity of experiences in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

The inaugural Best Arts & Culture/Entertainment Experience award went to the Mary MacKillop Museum, which offers an interactive and hands-on experience to inspire and educate patrons of all ages.

Plouffe said he was pleased the museum won.

“Including this category allows for institutions like a museum to be included in the mix,” he said.

“And it’s great that a quintessential SA experience like the Mary MacKillop Museum might get some more exposure.”

James Thredgold accepting his Hall of Fame honour.

GR Phones was awarded the Best Professional Services Award.

It was also another successful year for Pavé Cafe, which received the highly sought-after Best Café/Restaurant Award, after winning Best Coffee two years in a row.

Instead, it was Cheeky Grin Coffee that took home Best Coffee after winning Best Emerging/Start-Up Business last year.

T Life won Best Customer Experience, while Exurbia received Best Fashion Retailer.

Little Bang Brewing took home the Best Food & Beverage Manufacturing award.

This is the fifth award for Little Bang Brewing after it was awarded Best Entertainment Venue last year and Best Pub/Bar for the three previous years.

Johnny von Einem, one of the judges and editor of CityMag, said it was good to see the support for businesses continue to grow each year.

“It’s been great to see a high-quality venue like Little Bang continue to pick up recognition for the many ways the business contributes to the local community,” he said.

Johnny Slicks also followed up last year’s stellar performance, winning Best Hair & Beauty for the second year in a row, while Best Independent Retailer went to Adelaide Supplements.

As for Best Pub/Bar, the Maylands Hotel took home the award.

“We saw a lot of comments in the voting commending the effort put in by the Maylands in enlivening the pub,” von Einem said.

“It shows that people take notice when you invest in the future of your business.”

Mayor Bria said the entire Awards program illustrated the strength of the City and its community.

“On behalf of the Council, I extend my gratitude and appreciation for all of the businesses – the finalists and the winners – who have worked so hard and contributed significantly to the social and economic fabric of our City.”