Celebrating the 2026 Inner West Small Business Award-Winners
Backing local businesses means backing the people who make our community what it is.
Behind every local business is someone who took a chance. Someone who unlocked the door early, stayed back late, learnt your name, remembered your order, hired a local teenager, donated to the school raffle, sponsored a community event and kept showing up, even when running a small business was anything but easy.
When you choose the café around the corner, the local butcher, hairdresser, pharmacy, restaurant or family-run service, you’re doing more than making a purchase. You’re backing someone’s idea and helping create the kind of neighbourhood people want to belong to.
That’s why celebrating our local businesses matters.
The Inner West Small Business Awards recognise the businesses that contribute so much to our community, from exceptional customer service and creativity to community spirit and local connections.
A huge congratulations to our 11 award winners, chosen by the community through your votes:
Brewed for Brilliance Award: Hetty & Herms
Rooted Locally, Grown Boldly Award: Kai Kai Chicken St Lucia
Community Champion Award: Toowong Village Meats
Neighbourhood Nurturer Award: Forage's Cafe
The Artisan’s Touch Award: Pretty in the City and Aunty Paul’s
Digital Dynamo Award: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Customer Connection Award: Vets in the Village
Lifetime Local Legend Award: West Toowong Bowls Club
Pet Friendly Pioneer Award: Vets in the Village
Making Brisbane’s Lifestyle Better Award: West Toowong Bowls Club
Cr Wolff’s Heart of Business Award: Peach & Billy
These winners represent something much bigger than an award. They represent courage, creativity, connection and the optimism to believe that a good idea can become something the whole community comes to love.
A special thank you to Bloom Cycle for creating the fabulous sustainable trophies and helping make the awards even more meaningful.
To all our winners, congratulations, and thank you for everything you contribute to the Inner West.
And here’s a little challenge for all of us: next time you need something, look local first.
Every time we put our money behind a local business, we’re also putting something back into the place we call home.