Liquorland Pukekohe proves popular
The Pukekohe Business Association’s Best in Business Awards rounded off with a black tie awards ceremony on July 29. Today we start our profiles on the winners with the People’s Choice Award winner - Liquorland Pukekohe. Natalie Polley reports.
Treating others as you wish to be treated is the mantra for Toya Nirwan - and it’s paid off.
Toya’s business, Liquorland Pukekohe, scooped up the People’s Choice Award in the Pukekohe Business Association’s Best in Business Awards on July 29.
Pokeno’s Toya and husband Steve took over the store in 2012.
‘‘Grant, the previous owner, interviewed us before we took over,’’ Toya said.
‘‘We already had our first liquor store in Mangere Bridge - that was our bread and butter.’’
Toya said there had been a lot to learn since 2012, as the Mangere Bridge store was a lot smaller.
‘‘Now we know all of Pukekohe.’’
Toya said she was so grateful to her loyal customers for voting for the business and ensuring it claimed the prize.
‘‘We would ask them, we have a lot of regular customers, and they all said yes.’’
She said the success of the business was all about customer service and building relationships with her customers.
‘‘We treat people the way we would want to be treated as customers. If you don’t treat them well they won’t come back.
‘‘I love serving people. We have a lot of competitors in our industry so we try and make it pleasant.’’
She said it was hard work running the business, alongside her husband and four staff members.
‘‘I always try and get Sunday off. I do 9am till 9pm or 10pm every other day,’’ she said.
At the gala awards evening, Toya said she was left ‘‘speechless’’ after Liquorland was called as the category winner. ‘‘I was trembling.’’ Loyal customers of the store can expect a few changes, as Toya said she planned to renovate the store’s interior in the near future.
‘‘We’d like to say thanks to the business association, they made the night amazing.’’