Da Angelo Ristorante has taken out the top honour at the inaugural Greater Hobart Small Business Excellence Awards, winning the Business of the Year Chairman’s Award.
The long-running Hobart restaurant was one of eight businesses recognised at the ceremony on Sunday night, with winners named across seven categories from a field of 21 finalists.
Co-owner Angelo Fraraccio said the award was a team effort built over decades.
“I had my first business in 1985, so it’s 42 years now I’ve been in business,” he said.
“De Angelo’s has been 32 years.”
Fraraccio paid tribute to his business partner Marco, fellow co-owners Roberta and Sam and the families who have kept the restaurant going.
“It’s something you can’t do on your own, a family business,” he said.
“You’re just so privileged and proud that you know we’ve been to sustain a business for this long.”
He said the restaurant had provided a stepping stone for countless university students over the years, with one former apprentice now a co-owner.
“When you see these guys that really want to work and show a bit of initiative, you give them the opportunity and they come on board,” Fraraccio said.
Business Greater Hobart chair Edwin Johnstone said the awards showed the strength and diversity of Hobart’s small business community.
“Greater Hobart has thousands of small businesses that employ local people, support other local businesses and make an enormous contribution to our communities,” Johnstone said.
“At a time when many small businesses are dealing with higher costs and challenging trading conditions, it is particularly important that we recognise and celebrate what they are achieving.”
Other winners on the night included Happy Larry Deli for emerging small business, GDA Group for professional services, Southern Automotive for trades and construction, Emerge Business Solutions for innovation and ICT.
Personal Best Fitness won for customer service, TEDx Hobart for inclusion, equity and belonging and Florage Tasmania for leadership, sustainability and community impact.
