Makers on Mount is named top winner of the Cherry Festival Chamber of Commerce award

Manjimup retailer Makers on Mount was one of the retailers rewarded for their business during Friday night’s late-night shopping by Manjimup’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a new award to recognise the efforts by retailers during the hours.

The inaugural prize was voted by secret shoppers who judged 21 businesses that participated in late-night trading last Friday night, basing the winner off participation in the late-night hours, the store appearance and customer service.

Makers on Mount won the top prize of $1,000, while Rewind was the runner up, winning $500, and Steve’s Menswear was third with a $400 prize.

The Manjimup Florist and Amber & Arlo received honourable mention with $150 each for their participation and efforts.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Bevan Eatts said the prize was to encourage and give incentive to the retailers to stay open through Friday night during the entertainment on the main street.

“Together with the Chamber of Commerce and the Cherry Festival committee, we decided to try and encourage the retailers to stay open by offering them a first, second and third place prize based on store appearance, service and just to try to give them encouragement to stay open on the Friday night,” he said.

He said mystery shoppers were responsible for evaluating, judging and voting for the winner of the prize.

“We chose the nominees if the shop was open, if they put effort in decorating the store for Cherry Festival and Christmas and just good old customer service, and we had five mystery shoppers who did some voting and then the results came through.”

He also thanked all the retailers who stayed open during the late-night shopping hours for their hard work and said the award was to acknowledge their dedication and efforts.

“I would like to thank all the retailers that participated, I know that in the last two years, it’s been hard to get staff and the staff that they have gotten have worked above and beyond, so for the retailers to stay open is greatly appreciated.”