By Andrew Starke
Small bar Grasshopper was a big winner at the City of Sydney's 2010 Business Awards, taking out the Best Small Business of the Year title.
Clarence St Cyclery was named Business of the Year with Grasshopper taking out the inaugural Small Bar Award and later adding the headline small business honour.
The City of Sydney Business Awards is one of the largest programs of its kind in Australia with 520 nominated businesses, 125 finalists and 41,500 votes cast by the public.
“I'd like to congratulate all 21 winners of the 2010 City of Sydney Business Awards and make a special mention of Grasshopper and Clarence St Cyclery,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.
“These two new businesses are doing exceptionally well considering our tough economic climate over the past 12 months. They have taken advantage of their strengths and now offer Sydneysiders vibrant and diverse places in Sydney.”
The judges recognised popular small bar Grasshopper, which opened less than a year ago with help from the City's matched cash grants program, as an exciting addition to Sydney's small bar culture.
Grasshopper is run by Martin O'Sullivan who also heads up Sydney's Small Bar Association.
O’Sullivan was not immediately available to comment.
Votes for 2010 City of Sydney Business Award winners were cast online or via SMS, with the top six businesses in each category named as finalists.
Winners of 2010 City of Sydney Business Awards:
Business of the Year presented by ANZ: Clarence St Cyclery
Small Business of the Year presented by American Express: Grasshopper
Lord Mayor's Sustainability Award presented by EnergyAustralia: Sydney Sustainable Markets Inc
Healthcare & Fitness: All Sorts Fitness and Wellbeing Centre
Marketing & Communications: RANDEM Group
Professional, Business & Financial Services: Armstrong Legal
Pubs, Hotels, Nightclubs & Venues: Bowlers' Club at 99onyork
Bicycle Business: Clarence St Cyclery
Community & Social Services: National Breast Cancer Foundation
Information & Communication Technology: Sqware Peg Pty Ltd
Cultural & Creative Services: Gondwana Choirs
Small Bars: Grasshopper
Environmental Business: Reverse Garbage
Specialty Retail & Wholesale: The Little Candle Shop
Cafes (casual dining): two black sheep
Takeaway Food & Catering Services: misschu
Retail Beauty: Stevie English Hair
Education & Training: Bambini's Childcare Centres
Tourism & Accommodation: Bonza Bike Tours
Fair Trade: Cocolo Chocolate
Restaurants: Mulligan's Restaurant
Food & Beverage Retail: Organic Food and Farmers Markets
Household & General Retail: St James Pharmacy
Retail Fashion: TOWANDA