Originally published in PerthNow, 16 April 2024.

A 35 year old family owner grocery store has been declared the best IGA in the State.

Como’s Preston Street IGA received the prestigious title at the Alice in Wonderland-themed IGA Awards of Excellence awards ceremony last month.

The store also took home gold in the best produce and best bakery categories.

The IGA Awards of Excellence recognise the dedication and innovation of IGA’s in shaping local economies and fostering community connections.

Preston Street IGA operations manager Renee Steenkamp said the store had been open since 1988 after her parents Pierre and Aylmyr Sequeira moved from India to Perth.

“The store has been within the family since that time and my mum and dad continue to own it on their own,” Ms Steenkamp said.

“We’ve had some staff members, like our fruit and veg manager who joined in 1989 and is still with us… a couple of other staff members have been with us for 30 years, so we’ve been really lucky to be supported by an awesome team who have stayed with us.”

“Myself, my sister and my sister’s husband are now in the business, so it’s been an amazing opportunity to continue on the legacy.”

The store has also been named best produce in WA six times, best baker in WA three times and best deli in WA three times.

In 2019 it was also crowned the best IGA in Australia.

“We really do have top quality, so you can come and buy carrots from us for example, and a week later they can be sitting in your fridge and they’ll still be crispy and you can still eat them.” Ms Steenkamp said.

“People come to us for that quality and the range we get.”

Preston Street IGA supports carious local schools, community groups and sports clubs, including South Perth Junior Football Club, South Perth Junior Cricket Club, Como Bowling Club and Hensman Park Tennis Club.

“Often customers that shop with us will say ‘I’m part of a running club and we’re doing a fundraiser’ or ‘My family has been touched by cancer’ and ask if they can run a bake sale… we’re very involved in the community,” Ms Steenkamp said.

“We’re always striving to do our best and five our customers the best experience, so it’s really lovely to be recognised in the industry.”

“It’s quite amazing; the other stores up for the awards are fantastic stores, so to be taking out the award amongst a great calibre of stores is really, really amazing.”