Manakau Market became the 2023 recipient of the Electra Business and Innovation Top Shop Award, presented last month at Southwards Museum.
Manakau Market became the 2023 recipient of the Electra Business and Innovation Top Shop Award, presented last month at Southwards Museum.
On the awards night, the trophy was accepted by Manakau Market’s coffee supplier, Matt Payne from Dark Horse Coffee, on Manakau Market's behalf. Matt spoke of the team’s exceptional customer service making them deserved winners. He was accepting the award, as they were busy making pizzas and unable to attend the event.
The team at the Market shouted in excitement when they heard the news, startling customers waiting for their orders at the time!
Renée and Neil Cohen, owners of the Manakau Market said their team deserved to win as they had fully embraced the spirit of the ‘Top Shop’ competition, even creating stickers for customers to vote for them.
Manakau Market claims to be the best roadside food stop located on SH1. The store was originally a classic vege shop and market garden, known as Brown Acres in Manakau. The Cohens who also own Quarter Acre Café, continued selling veges and using them in their restaurant, until COVID-19 changed the hospitality industry.
During COVID-19 times, they started up a fruit and vegetable delivery service to supply local homes. With COVID-19 they were unable to open their restaurant due to restrictions, so they moved their pizza oven to the Manakau Market and opened a ‘takeaway window’ to serve their local customers and travellers on the highway.
The demand for takeaways continued to grow so they added Dark Horse Coffee, cakes, fries, and gourmet burgers.
Manakau Market now has market style indoor/outdoor seating for people to enjoy their hot takeaway food and coffee, or picnic with their real fruit ice cream in the seated green spaces.
Neil said, "this is a real boost for our team and well-deserved recognition for all the great work they put in to giving the outstanding customer service".
