The store, which has been part of the fabric of Kempsey's business community for decades, overcame 135 other members of the Friendly Grocer Group from across NSW and ACT.

The award was based on sales, store presentation, initiative, and new ideas for convenience and enhancing the customer experience.

Proud co-owner Leah Lewis was thrilled for her team to be acknowledged for their hard work, innovation and customer service.

"We were shocked and excited because we've only been open for a relatively short time to be receiving such an award," she said.

"We'd like to thank the team that we have behind us.

"It wouldn't have happened without them.

"We'd also like to thank our loyal customers.”

Chaddies' employee Lucy Reed said winning the award was unexpected but praised her bosses for their leadership.

"It was a surprise to win the award," she said.

"We do our best to provide quality service and it feels good to be recognised for that.

"The employers are great to work for, the staff are terrific to work with and the customers are really friendly."

Chaddies joined the Friendly Grocer group in 2016 when it was bought, revamped and reopened with the same name by Mrs Lewis and Natasha Norton.

"The name was too iconic to the Macleay Valley to change it," Mrs Lewis said.

The entrepreneurial duo were looking for a way to increase their buying power in order to keep prices down and pass savings on to customers and joining a co-operative emerged as an option.

"In the start we approached them and they took a gamble because the store was non-operational," Mrs Lewis said.

"We had a meeting, presented a business plan and the rest is history.

"We've worked collaboratively with them to build the business to what it is today.

"The support of the entire Macleay Valley Community has been vital to the growth of our business."

Among Chaddies' innovations is their use of the skip app, which allows their busy customers to order their coffee and pick it up freshly made at a designated time.

When users of the skip app arrive in store they go straight to the front of the line, pay, collect their coffee and are on the move again.

Chaddies' customers will soon be able to buy food via the skip app as well.

To download the app, simply google skip or buy skip from the app store.

Access the app, search for Chaddies and follow the prompts to make an order.