October is Small Business Month! And to celebrate, we’re highlighting some of the great small businesses we have throughout the New England and North Coast. See all the stories here.
Today we’re celebrating three local businesses that add a little extra to life, from a take away institution, to a personal trainer with a difference, and a great place to stay up the hill.
BREADO’s Grab & Go
Proper food, local banter and plenty of heart
1/11 Craft Close, Toormina NSW 2452
Tucked away in Toormina, BREADO’s Grab & Go is the kind of local takeaway where the food comes with a side of conversation, a bit of banter and a genuine connection to the community.
Owned and operated by local sole trader Stacey Taylor, BREADO’s was built around a simple idea: being busy shouldn’t mean having to settle for processed, pre-packaged food. From fresh burgers and loaded sandwiches to hot meal packs, lunches and great coffee, the focus is on proper, home-style food made with care.
One of the things that sets BREADO’s apart is what happens behind the counter. Rather than relying on pre-packaged deli meats, Stacey cooks the sandwich meats in-house, including silverside, pork, beef and chicken. The burger patties are also made using a family secret recipe — something Stacey says keeps customers coming back for more.
But food is only part of the BREADO’s experience. Stacey is passionate about supporting the local Toormina and Coffs Harbour community, getting behind grassroots sponsorships, fundraisers and other independent small businesses.
For the locals who walk through the doors, that community connection is clearly part of what makes the business special. Whether they’re grabbing a quick lunch, stopping in for a coffee, having a laugh across the counter or supporting a local cause, Stacey says it’s those everyday interactions that make BREADO’s tick.
So if you’re in Toormina and looking for a feed with a little more personality, Stacey’s invitation is simple: come on by and say g’day.
M.A.R.S Martial All-Round Solutions
Where martial arts meets personal training
4 Oliver Avenue, Armidale NSW 2350
For Anthony Rummery, fitness is about more than simply lifting weights or following a standard gym program. Through M.A.R.S Martial All-Round Solutions, formerly New England Martial Arts Academy, he combines personal training with his experience in traditional Japanese martial arts to offer a different approach to strength, conditioning and self-defence.
Anthony has been teaching traditional Japanese martial arts since 2022 and has continued to expand his knowledge through study in areas including philosophy, psychology and biomechanics. He has also competed in tournaments, achieving gold and silver medals in veteran-level sparring and kata, while further developing his skills through trauma-informed coaching and concussion management certification.
M.A.R.S offers both personal and group training, with programs covering strength and conditioning, self-defence and combatives. Traditional training tools, including macebells, are incorporated into some programs to work on strength, mobility and coordination in ways that differ from a conventional commercial gym workout.
Personal training is designed around the individual, with M.A.R.S’ approach beginning with a detailed biomechanical assessment before programming. Anthony’s motto is simple: your preference, your time, your space, your music.
That personalised approach also extends to the training environment. Rather than the loud music and busy atmosphere often associated with commercial gyms, M.A.R.S is designed to give clients a quieter space where they can concentrate on their own training.
For Anthony, the aim is to help clients develop physical strength and skills while building awareness and confidence through an approach shaped by martial arts experience.
Manna Gums Guesthouse Armidale
A secluded stay shaped by the New England landscape
8 O’Connor Road, Armidale NSW 2350
A quiet garden setting, contemporary Australian design and the natural beauty of the New England High Country come together at Manna Gums Guesthouse Armidale, a new boutique accommodation business established in 2026.
Created by Angela Sole, a landscape designer and registered horticulturist, Manna Gums has been carefully designed as a private and peaceful home away from home. Set among native Manna Gums with country views, the entire boutique house is available to guests, offering privacy and space in a setting designed for comfort and relaxation.
Angela has brought her background in landscape design and horticulture into the guesthouse, where the surrounding gardens and natural environment are an important part of the experience. Inside, Australian contemporary design, organic fabrics and textured furnishings create a stylish but comfortable space, with an emphasis on privacy and thoughtful details.
The guesthouse is also well placed for visitors wanting to explore Armidale and the New England region. It’s around a five-minute walk from the New England Regional Art Museum and close to local schools, the Armidale Hospital, the Conservatorium of Music and the University of New England. That makes it a potential base not only for weekend visitors and holidaymakers, but also for visiting academics, guest lecturers, medical professionals and others needing longer-stay accommodation.
Whether it’s a peaceful getaway or a comfortable base while working or exploring the region, Manna Gums Guesthouse offers visitors the chance to slow down and enjoy a little of the New England landscape.
Throughout October, we’ll run stories highlighting the great local businesses we have right here in our communities. This is a free service – the businesses highlighted have not paid for this story.
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