Christmas has come early for the deserving winners of Wagga Wagga City Council's second annual Christmas store display competition.
Three Wagga business will share in $5000 in cash prizes after embracing the opportunity to help spread Christmas cheer, create a festive atmosphere in the CBD and encourage people to shop local.
The 2019 Wagga Christmas Store Display Competition, launched on 1 December, saw 65 local businesses deck their walls, halls and windows with traditional festive season favourites or sustainable, eco-friendly decorations to improve their visitor experience.
Council's Director Regional Activation Michael Keys congratulated all businesses who made the effort to put together their displays, but reserved special praise for the three prize winners:
- Best Store and Window Display ($2500) – With Pizzazz
- Festive Experience ($1500) – Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Auxiliary Op Shop
- People's Choice ($1000) – With Love Bespoke Styling
"I'd like to give a massive congratulations to our winners… it was a tough competition this year," Mr Keys said.
"It has been great to see so many businesses taking part and creating these festive experiences for their customers and the community to enjoy."
Surprised business owners Tony and Bronwyn Carlin were delighted to learn With Pizzazz had taken out the major prize with its on-trend, Scandi inspired display featuring soft pink and cream tones, fairy lights and this year's most popular style icon – the llama.
"We've owned this store for 15 years and every year we've put together a window display," Mr Carlin said.
"It's just something that has always been important to us… 20, 30 years ago window shopping was a fairly big part of the Christmas experience.
"It was something special families did together."
Store displays were judged on a range of criteria including customer experience, visual impact, creativity, styling, theme, use of retailer's products and effort.
