Family store wins local business award

The Panania Salvation Army corps Family Store has been named winner of the specialised retail category in the Bankstown Local Business Awards.

The awards acknowledge and reward local community businesses, helping improve standards and strengthen bonds between businesses.

Panania Corps Officer Lieutenant Nathan Hodges accepted the award on the night. He highlighted the fact that all profits from the Family Store directly support the social work of The Salvation Army in the community.

“There has been a growing presence of The Salvation Army in our community and the Family Store has been a large part of this,” says Lieutenant Hodges.

“The store is well respected in the local community and many people travel to shop with us due to the high standard we set.”

The Panania Family Store was nominated by the store’s manager, Anju Singh, with the winner chosen by customer votes.

Ms Singh says this award acknowledges the ministry the store provides and honours the hardworking team who provide great customer service every day and help those in need.

“I believe that our work benefits everyone in our community – especially the needy and the elderly,” says Ms Singh.

The Panania Family Store has been around for more than 20 years. Today, the store is run by a team of two paid employees and about 40 volunteers, community service workers and people seeking work experience from job agencies.

“Through everything we do in the store, we always put forward the welfare needs of our community. And in everything we do we want to improve the quality of life for those who are not experiencing life in all its fullness,” says Lieutenant Hodges.

This was the fifth year the store has been a finalist, and the third time it has received the award, previously winning in 2010 and 2011.