The Sydney Road Brunswick Association (SRBA) hosted its first-ever Business Awards on 12 November, drawing more than 1,500 public votes and recognising the precinct’s beloved businesses.
The awards ceremony at Brunswick Mechanics Institute saw 130 supporters pack the venue to celebrate 50-plus finalists across 10 categories.
Lazer Erazer, the inclusive tattoo and piercing studio, which opened in 2023 on Sydney Road, emerged as the night’s biggest winner, scooping both the Beauty and Body trophy and the coveted People’s Choice award.
Sydney Road Brunswick Business Awards
- 10 trophy categories
- 50+ finalists
- 1,500+ public votes
- Next awards in 2027
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From vintage shops to vegan cafes
The awards recognised businesses across retail, hospitality, health and wellness, beauty and body, professional services, and wedding and special events categories. The program also included a Local Legend trophy, celebrating individuals who make a positive impact on the precinct – from business owners to baristas, nail technicians to legal clerks.
The diversity of winners reflected the precinct’s eclectic business mix. Epic Vintage claimed the trophy for Best Secondhand, Vintage or Op Shop, while Cheaper Buy Miles won Best Grocer, Supermarket or Specialty Food. The hospitality sector saw dual winners with Choukette and Green Refectory both taking home trophies for Best Café or Restaurant.
Brunswick Chiropractic Clinic secured the Health and Wellness trophy for Best Wellness Centre, Collective or Service. Non Stop Legal won Best Legal Service in the Professional Services category, while Makkah Decorators claimed Best Venue, Theming or Décor in the Wedding and Special Events category.
The Local Legend trophy went to Tracey Lister from Brunswick Kitchen, recognising her contribution to the precinct’s community spirit. The award was specifically designed to honour those making a difference, regardless of their role or position.
SRBA President Julie Cini OAM expressed amazement at the community response. The association manager Troy Stuchbree noted that public comments revealed voting motivations went beyond transactions or services – customers valued feelings of belonging and community support.
Community love powers local business
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The awards committee, featuring representatives from SRBA alongside Rania Fayad from the Central Coburg Business Association, local food expert Illona Nicola, and Merri-bek City Council’s Retail and Experience Economy Officer Elissa Barlow, volunteered their time to assess finalists and review public feedback.
Erica Hildebrant from Lazer Erazer delivered a powerful acceptance speech, emphasising the studio’s inclusive philosophy. She highlighted how the business welcomes everyone regardless of background or circumstances, creating a judgment-free zone where individuality is celebrated. Hildebrant thanked her team and acknowledged their resident barber Larry, who also provides a safe space for clients.
The inaugural awards exceeded expectations, according to organisers. The overwhelming public participation demonstrated the strong connection between the Sydney Road Brunswick precinct businesses and their customers. Comments submitted with votes revealed deep emotional connections to local businesses, with many voters citing community support and belonging as primary reasons for their choices.
Building on Brunswick’s business backbone
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The awards program aimed to showcase the precinct’s thriving, inclusive and caring reputation. With two retail trophies, two hospitality trophies, and single awards for other categories, the structure recognised the precinct’s varied business landscape.
The presentation evening transformed into a celebration of local enterprise, with business owners, staff and supporters creating an atmosphere of pride and achievement. The trophy presentation ceremony highlighted the precinct’s collaborative spirit and mutual support network.
The Sydney Road Brunswick precinct has long been recognised as one of Melbourne’s most diverse shopping strips, stretching from the city’s inner north through Brunswick’s heart. The precinct houses everything from traditional Mediterranean grocers to contemporary tattoo studios, vintage clothing stores to vegan cafes, creating a unique retail ecosystem.
The awards represent a new chapter in celebrating this diversity. By combining public voting with committee assessment, the program balanced popular appeal with considered evaluation. The inclusion of a Local Legend category expanded recognition beyond business owners to acknowledge the broader community contributing to the area’s character.
SRBA plans to host the awards biennially, with the next edition scheduled for 2027. This spacing allows businesses time to develop and grow while maintaining momentum from the inaugural event’s success. The association hopes future iterations will build on this year’s participation levels and community engagement.
The overwhelming response – from public voting and nomination through to the packed presentation evening – demonstrates the precinct’s enduring appeal as a community hub. Beyond commercial transactions, the precinct functions as a social space where relationships form and community bonds strengthen.
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This article was made in partnership with the Sydney Road Brunswick Association.
