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Local small biz owners on lockdown impacts Eve Jeffery We keep hearing about how lockdowns are ruining small business, but are they really? The answer is yes. Owner operator of Mimi and Flo in Mullumbimby, Cas Lee, says the current outbreak of the Delta variant and subsequent slow response by the NSW government to curb the outbreak has left small businesses reeling statewide, despite previously not being in lockdown. Ms Lee told The Echo, ‘My business saw 60 per cent decrease in the early weeks of July, and is now down 80 per cent, with loss of all interstate visitors’. ‘The current Queensland lockdown was not obviously a drastic loss of trade, as the regulars were already avoiding entering into NSW’.
Cas Lee from Mimi and Flo. Photo Jeff Dawson Ms Lee says she has operated retail stores in this area since 1997, and is aware of trends in visitor numbers at certain times of the year. ‘We have sorely missed our southern visitors during the winter months, beginning with Easter being a disaster for many of us. We have year-round day visitors
from South East Queensland, which has become an important part of bolstering our businesses. I have applied for a recovery grant, but I’m yet to hear back on my eligibility’. Ms Lee says she believes that her business will not survive unless she is eligible for government support, if this lockdown continues.
OS Hub open for business
Jack Wright from La Familia. Photo Jeff Dawson ‘I have negotiated extended payment plans with my suppliers, who in most cases have been flexible’. ‘As a fashion retailer, we preorder our ranges between 12 to six months in advance. ‘The stress of not being able to predict what and how much to order is taking its toll. We are now receiving drops for spring and my store is still heaving with winter stock that I have been unable to move’. Meanwhile, Jack Wright from Mullum’s new Mexican restaurant, La Familia, says that as a new business recently opened, their sales are showing a 60 to 70 per cent decrease by comparison to the first two days’ trade. He says, ‘On our third day open, the most recent restrictions were brought in, and effective by 6pm Saturday 26
June, and since this, our sales have steadily declined. ‘There is a lack of consumer confidence.’ Mr Wright said any difference in the impacts experienced during the other lockdown periods it is hard to gauge. ‘With our other business, Hooper’s Burgers, Fish & Chippery in Brunswick Heads being a takeaway food shop, that seems to be holding steady, which indicates customers are wanting to order and takeaway rather than sit down to dine in’. Mr Wright said that most of his clientele are local, but the border closures and restrictions have a flow on effect for the entire community. He also feels the government health messaging has been clear, however he doesn’t think the spot
lockdowns have really restricted movement of the public. ‘It seems to be dragging this situation out longer than it needs to be’. Yet Ms Lee says the messaging around NSW lockdowns is great fodder for comedic repertoire. ‘This is proving to be a time where I really consider my desire to continue on doing what I do after so many years. I am forever thankful to my loyal customers who are continuing to support me during these times, though many of them are suffering financially during this time too’.
Avoid multinationals ‘My recommendation is to urge everyone to continue to support local businesses wherever you can, and avoid online purchasing from the big multinationals’. Ms Lee said she does not think the NSW Government has been firm enough on the movement of people from Sydney. ‘There seems to be too many ambiguous rules around why you can leave Sydney, posing an enormous threat of an outbreak in our regional areas’. Q Both Ms Lee and Mr Wright spoke to The Echo prior to the lockdown announcement on Monday.
National Circus Festival postponed until 2022
A large space in Ocean Shores is available for hire for businesses or groups with shared Christian values. Hub Campus Pastor, Ben Kruzins, told The Echo, ‘We have been in town for five years and we really want to be a place that can meet the needs of the community. We have a kitchen an outdoor play area, and audiovisual facilities’. To get in contact, email ben@thehubbaptist.org. Photo Jeff Dawson
The National Circus Festival has announced that, owing to the ongoing COVID situation in NSW and continued border restrictions, the 2021 event will be postponed until September 2022. Board Chair, Joel Salom, says full refunds (minus booking and transaction fees) will
be available to everyone that purchased tickets. He says, ‘Disappointingly, we can’t make the festival the best it can be if states are in lockdown and people are unable to cross borders safely and with confidence’. The National Circus Festival aims to attract
performers, trainers, and patrons from across Australia. The new national training program will run September 26–29, 2022, and the weekend festival will be held September 30 till October 2, 2022. For more information, visit www. nationalcircusfestival.com.
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