Pastry makers, a pole studio, a cinema and a law firm were among the winners at Hamilton’s CBD Awards.
Twenty-six businesses had wins - some more than one - at the Wednesday evening event at 18 London Street.
Stark Properties is developing the building into versatile commercial spaces but, for the awards, Royal Lab turned it into a high-end jazz bar. Sultry notes from Joe Mac Band filled the sixth floor as attendees enjoyed 360-degree views of the city and the Waikato River.
With a record 137 entries in 2024, general manager Vanessa Williams of Hamilton Central Business Association said she felt incredibly excited about the evening of recognition and celebration.
“This event is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of our local businesses, and we are proud to play a part in celebrating them.”
Winners of each category received a ‘blockie’ - old breeze blocks taken from the demolished Founders Theatre foyer.
“Each piece is a tribute to Hamilton’s vibrant past and a symbol of the bright future of our local businesses,” said Williams.
MC Jason Dawson, the regional affairs manager for Air New Zealand, shared anecdotes of his interactions with central city businesses as he called up the winners.
The bars and restaurants category winner was Palate, known for its Greenstone Creek beef. Mat McLean, the owner and head chef, gained qualifications from Waikato Polytechnic and opened the restaurant in 2005, after working in Michelin star restaurants in London and later in Melbourne.
The business moved to its new SkyCity location at the end of last year, and McLean said that brought new energy into the business.
Rüdi's, a bakery that set up in Hamilton after moving from Whangamatā, won the daytime eat and drink category.
Known for its pastries and spelt and sprouted rye sourdough, the bakery at Riverbank Lane first began as a Covid hobby project.
Lido Cinema Hamilton, whose $10 offering brought back full house cinemas, won the activity category.
Co-owner Ross Churchouse earlier told Waikato Times they were looking into ways for Hamilton businesses to support each other when everyone was struggling.
Fossick, a co-op run by six antique collectors, opened in 2023 and was crowned winner in the new business category.
With a couch in the shop that allows customers and sellers alike to eat and drink, the owners said they want to be a day trip destination for people from wider Waikato.
Exscite, part of the Waikato Museum that provides interactive education programmes, won the innovation category.
The space was first opened in 1996 and has recently incorporated new interactive programmes such as ones that allow visitors to colour in their own bird and watch it fly around the digital forest or sit in a waka and look at the night sky.
Fourth-year judge and HCBA committee member Mike Neale said it was a daunting, stressful and difficult job sifting through 21 applications for three categories - including the new business category - but it confirmed to him the amazing businesses in the CBD.
“I wanted to give everyone the top. Particularly in the new business category, they were probably some of the best new businesses I’ve seen. I think it’s important that we appreciate them for what passion these businesses bring to the table,” Neale said.
Catering for the event was by Dot & Winnies, to highlight another established hospitality success in Hamilton CBD.
The event was supported by Spark Business and MediaWorks.
Spark operations manager Fabian Pathirana said the company is proud to champion the outstanding work that local businesses are doing to make a positive impact in Hamilton.
MediaWorks, which returned as a supporter this year, said the awards
Image credits: Mark Jephson | Waikato Times
Image credits: Moving Media
