SYDNEY MARKET GREENGROCER AWARDS 2006

Bondi Rd Fruitologist is a colourful landmark on the the main road into Bondi Beach and it is easy to see why this store is popular with holiday makers, daytrippers, backbackers and disconcerning locals who frequent this local greengrocer.

The wide range of premium quality fruit and vegetables, many value-added lines and the late closing time (they stay open until 8 pm, 7 days a week) make this store very user friendly.

This store is freshly paianted, bridghetly lit, their displays are tradionally stacked and overall the store has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Part owner and store manager Alf Marci along with his well trained staff, are doing a great job and their customer service is second to none.

Details: 151 Bondi Road, Bondi NSW 2026. Phone: 9387-2575.

Owner Rick Nassis took over this award winning, Southern Highlands business in June 2006.

During the year Rick extended the store’s product line to include a larger variety of organic groceries and to meet customer demand, will be installing a salad, yoghurt and juice bar in the near future.

Located on Main Street Mittagong , Highlands Fresh has ample parking spaces which are conveniently located at the entrance of his business. The store is open plan, inviting and has an abundance of natural lighting. The produce is beautifully displayed in small lots to ensure it maintains peak freshness, with the staff regularly tending the displays to top up, trim and neaten throughout the day

The Sydney Markets anonymous shoppers found the staff to be at all times friendly, helpful and were impressed with their product knowledge which they enthusiastically share with their customers.

Details: 92 Main Street, Mittagong NSW 2527. Phone: 02 4871-1370.

Two years after undertaking a complete renovation, Best Fresh Farm Market in Caringbah, has reaped the rewards and as a result been awarded the September 2006 Greengrocer of the Month.

Well located outside the Caringbah Shopping Village and close to the car park, Best Fresh Farm Market is a modern store with a cheerful atmosphere.

This greengrocer certainly packs in a superb selection of quality fruit and vegetables into a narrow well ordered space. The produce is traditionally displayed in single tier and the mirrored walls give the feeling of an abundance and reflect the quality produce. This store has a wide frontage and utilises this space to its full potential, showcasing weekly specials while at the same time allowing customers the visibility to see other items that are displayed in such a way that is enticing to the eye so shoppers move freely into the store.

Part owner and store manager Frank Miribito’s recently introduced “Smart New Ticketing”. His computerised system generates all tickets, ensuring they are easy to read, consistent in appearance, well branded and have the added benefit of including interesting and useful information tips about fresh produce as well as some interesting trivia facts.

There is no mistaking who works in the store, as all staff are neatly dressed in navy and gold branded shirts with matching aprons, they all wear name tags and their positive attitude towards customer service ensures this store remains a winner with the customers in the Caringbah area.

Details: 54 President Ave, Caringbah NSW 2229. Phone: 9540-4489.

Mountain Fresh Growers is latest business success of brothers Frank and Charlie Iarias. Opened in December 2005 in the new Winmalee Village Centre, this store offers a superb range of quality produce to this Blue Mountains community.

The store has an open feel and good lighting. Shiny new trolleys and baskets are conveniently parked at the entrance and the stores signage and branding are well executed.

The displays are neatly stacked in single tier and the open refrigerated section is where you find the freshest zucchini flowers, exotic mushrooms, okra and alfalfa sprouts. You will also find a delightful range of deli items including sliced packaged meats, pesto sauces, olives and cheeses.

Details: Shop 20 Winmalee Village Centre, Whitecross Rd, WINMALEE. Phone: 4754-4880.

Two years after opening its doors Norton St Grocer, Bondi Junction is still wowing its customers and Sydney Markets anonymous shoppers.

The fresh produce displays are built, groomed and overseen by dedicated staff who are obviously trained in the traditional method of stacking fruit and vegetables. The produce sparkles with freshness, colour and is trimmed and presented superbly.

Operated by a business partners George Angelidis, Max Tomassian and Brothers Claudio and Albert Guerrera, Norton St Grocer has a fantastic eye appeal. Their computer generated ticketing is consistently professional and carries the compulsory country of origin labelling.

Customers of this eastern suburbs greengrocer are certainly offered an impressive range of fresh produce and to complement the fresh lines this store also carries hundreds of gourmet groceries and deli items.

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Details: Shop 1027, Level One. Westfield, BONDI JUNCTION. Phone: 9386-5800.

Eastgardens Fruit Centre has won a highly contested Sydney Markets 'Greengrocer of the Month' award for quality fruit and vegetable retailing and also qualified them as a preliminary finalist for the 2006 metropolitan Greengrocer of the Year award.

This family run business has been operated by the Saleh family since 1996. The Principal Moses Saleh has over 27 years experience of buying and selling fresh fruit and vegetables and his eye for quality is highly regarded, amongst wholesalers, growers and with his valued customers. Whilst his dedicated sons Saleh, Ali and Mohamed have worked along side their father since leaving school.

Eastgardens Fruit Centre is an oasis of colour, it radiates freshness and the variety this store offers is exceptionally. Seasonal speciality currently available includes blood oranges, tamarillo, ruby grapefruit, custard apples, pomelo, okra, pencil leeks, taro and celeriac. However according to Moses “If you are looking special you only have to ask and we will get it in.”

The salad and juice bar located at the front of the store stocks around 26 mouth-watering salads and a myriad of freshly squeezed juices made daily by their resident chef.

Details: Shop K1111, Westfield Shopping Centre, 152 Bunnerong Rd, EAST GARDENS, Phone: 9314 1895

Located in Sydney’s Western suburb of Minto, Minto’s Fruit Orchard has been owned and operated for the last nine years by brothers Frank and Sam Murdocca.

Minto’s Fruit Orchard is a large, spacious store that carries an impressive variety of quality produce at reasonable prices.  “Nine years ago we would not have carried rocket, radicchio, fennel, artichokes, basil or taro.  The community and our customers’ needs are constantly evolving and our extensive range reflects a change in cooking styles and the multicultural community that Minto has become” says Frank.

In August 2005 Minto’s Fruit Orchard completed a store refurbishment, which has significantly improved the store’s internal appearance.  They also included a deli counter, which has created a valued-added shopping experience for customers and in turn makes Minto Fruit Orchard a one-stop shop.

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Details: Minto’s Fruit Orchard, 42 Ben Lomond Rd, MINTO, Phone: 9603 9458

For second generation greengrocer Domenic Polistina and his sons Pat and Tony, fruit and vegetables are in their blood.

Since opening their Terrey Hills store in October, 2003 the Polistina family have steadily built up their customer base and established their reputation as a store that offers quality, range, value and service.  “It’s a one-stop shop” notes the anonymous shopper.  “There is a wonderful range of fruit and vegies and gourmet groceries, lots of staff to assist you, no waiting at any of the eight checkouts and I could park at the door.”

It is apparent that the team at Forestway Fresh do not rest on their laurels; they are consistently looking at ways to further enhance their store’s appearance and operational systems, which will ensure the future success of their store and continue to embellish their customers’ shopping experience.

“I have been retailing fruit and vegetables for over 40 years.  My sons were raised in the business, but I never envisaged that my boys would welcome the opportunity to stay in the business.  It’s very satisfying to see them take on the responsibility and exhibit how capable and talented they are.” said Domenic.

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Details: Forestway Fresh, 341 Mona Vale Rd, TERREY HILLS, Phone: 9486 3340

Operated by the father and son team of Chris and Mitchell Kambouris, Mitchell’s Fruit of Wirilla has participated in the ‘anonymous shopper program’ since 2004 and during this time they have consistently demonstrated raise the bar, making significant improvements to their customer service skills, product knowledge and merchandising and brand. Their last shopping report specifically mentioned how “spotless” the store was and how “friendly the staff” were.

Mitchell’s Fruit advertises on local radio, TV and in the community newspapers. However they also understand the power of word of mouth advertising, each week three lucky customers win $30.00 worth of fruit and vegetable simply buy placing their receipt in the competition box located in the store. This strategy contributes positively to their customer’s shopping experience.

Chris Kambouris has over 32 year experience of buying and selling fruit and Mitchell has worked with his father him since he was 5 years old coming to the markets and helping in the store.

Details: Shop 10, Warilla Grove Shopping Centre, WARILLA. Phone: 02 42955377

Sydney Markets anonymous shoppers noting improvements in Manly Fruit Market’s presented, produce quality, customer service, staff uniforms, ticketing and educational material.

Joe Manno is competitive, he thrives on a challenge and winning a Greengrocer of the Month award is an accomplishment that Joe set his sights on, sometime ago.

So when other business deals needed less of his attention Joe ceased the chance to spend more time in the store, a move that has impacted positively on his businesses performance. Whilst still undertaking the buying four days a week, Joe has returned to the store and been in the store motivating and training staff.

Details: Shop 1, 2/8 Darley Road, MANLY. Phone: 9977 1794

Since taking over this store in Sydney’s South Western suburbs in 2001 owner Charlie Micali has successfully developed his fruit and vegetable business by listening to his peers and customers, and not being frightened to implement new ideas and concepts.

One concept Charlie has embraced overtime is the Sydney Markets Anonymous Shopper program. Whilst not always liking the feedback that the program provided, Charlie has stayed with the program, benchmarked the stores progress and paid attention to the feedback.

According to Sydney Markets anonymous shoppers, Roselands Fruitworld customer service skills are excellent; the staff were courteous, friendly and helpful, their produce range and quality is appealing.

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Details: Shop L39, Roselands Shopping Centre, ROSELANDS. Phone: 9759 0764