An Armadale business owner said she was amazed to have won the top business award only two years after taking the business over from its previous owners.
On November 17, Bean Thru Espresso Bar owners Keriann and Stephen Larsen picked up the Business of the Year award at the 2017 Examiner Newspapers Business Excellence Awards.
Ms Larsen said it was a shock to the couple for their Jull Street business to be recognised as one of the area’s top businesses after taking the business over in 2015.
“Absolutely amazed,” she said.
“We were just so incredibly grateful to everybody for all of their support.
“We would never have won this award if it wasn’t for our families, staff and customers.”
Ms Larsen said she and her husband had worked hard to give the business new life after taking it over in 2015, including increasing attention on dine-in service, roasting beans themselves and getting involved in community initiatives.
These initiatives may have contributed to the business also taking out the Community Spirit Award on the night.
The award was recognition for the businesses waste-reduction programs and a before-school breakfast program for children with poor attendance rates.
Ms Larsen said taking over and revamping the business had been hard work, but it had been worth the effort.
“The last two years have been busy but absolutely amazing for Steve and I,” she said.
Bean Thru was one of several businesses to be recognised at the November 17 awards night, which were sponsored by Examiner Newspapers.
Seadragonz Swim School took out the Excellence in Business and the Employer of Choice awards; Bickley Brook Cottage was awarded the Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality award; Emersion Flotation Spa received the Excellence in Marketing award and the City of Armadale Digital Innovation Award; Crossroads Mechanical was recognised as the Best New Business; and Beyond Body employee Amanda Ingraham was awarded the Inspiring Individual award.
