IGA Xpress at Kincumber has taken out two major gongs at the IGA Metcash state awards and is set to proceed to the national finals next week.
Part-owner Chris Clark said he very proud of what the staff have achieved.
“They all love helping our customers,” he said.
Store manager, Kerry Beck, said the store had taken out the 2022 Store of the Year and Store Innovation awards for NSW and the ACT.
“We are absolutely over the moon with the two wins,” she said.
“We have really great staff and everyone is really passionate about what we do … we rely on good old fashioned customer service.”
Beck has been manager at the family-owned store for two years after working for 20 years at the Umina Mall.
“I worked for the Laundy Group as manager of its Foodtown and Cellarbrations stores and it was a sad day when the mall burnt down,” she said.
“But I love working at Kincumber – the IGA people are fantastic and there are area and department managers to help you out when you need it.”
Taking up her new role shortly after COVID-19 first made its appearance, Beck said the store had managed to thrive.
“We were still renovating and trading during the first COVID lockdown,” she said.
“But we did quite well, we have a really good local community who got behind us.
“It’s a friendly store – you get to know a lot of the customers by their first names (and) everyone says is has a really nice atmosphere.”
With a staff of 12, the store continues to thrive with a community focus and provides online shopping and DoorDash with competitive catalogue specials and wheelchair access.
It sponsors the Kincumber Colts and supports the local tennis club.
“We are now in the running for the national awards which will be announced on July 19,” Beck said.
Terry Collins