How Are Local, Small Businesses Surviving?
To state the past eight months have been challenging for our rural, small businesses is an understatement. Many were forced to temporarily shut their doors, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, while some have sadly remained closed. Countless businesses are presently surviving by the skin of their teeth through creatively thinking outside of the square.
Government assistance is available, however only if businesses and employees meet the imposed criteria. For many and varied reasons, numerous traders are falling through the cracks, struggling to keep afloat.
Initially choosing to close for the protection of staff and the community, The Kitchen Table café in Foster reopened for takeaway cuisine, typically homemade on the premises. Proprietor, Nicole claims, “In order to keep the business on track in such a risky and constantly changing environment, I reduced staff to a minimum each day. Geralyn, my only full-time employee at the time, stayed the course with me and provided incredible support, along with my customers.”
Now that The Kitchen Table is once again open to seat the public, albeit limited by density quotients, more staff have been employed, however Nicole takes each day as it comes. She closely observes and estimates demand to successfully manage her business. “Nicole says. “I need to act according to each day’s developments in order to keep the business moving forward.”
During take-away only openings, many coffee shops began selling such items as coffee beans, teas, and accessories etc., even hand sanitizers and face masks, to generate revenue. This somewhat changed the energy of the shops, but kept the community connected.
Hearty, homemade dishes, such as lasagne or shepherd’s pie were sold by some eateries to accommodate family dinners. Food hampers for special occasions were also thoughtfully put together, while home delivery became an option, but difficult to sustain in rural vicinities.
Tracey, the proprietor of Lyn Rose Boutique in Leongatha, states, “I chose to take a positive approach during lockdown and concentrated on tasks I’d placed on the back burner.” Although Tracey’s website was designed three years ago, she had the platform professionally restructured and polished to simplify the online shopping experience for her customers.
Now open for business, Tracey explains, “Fashion statements, such as dresses or formal pants, have taken a back seat. I’m selling four times the amount of leisure wear since pre-pandemic times.” The store’s demand calls for comfortable clothing as people work from home, are home schooling or simply isolating within their safe havens. Tracey is adamant she will continue to concentrate on online trading once normality returns, as it’s proving to be a popular retail outlet, even with her store open.
The iconic Meeniyan hotel has had to greatly improvise and organise its customer service around coronavirus restrictions. Since lockdown, the drive-through bottle shop has converted into a convenient and safe meal pick-up station. Supervisor, Kellie says, ‘The drive-through will remain open once we’re past the pandemic, as it’s favoured by many locals.
The hotel’s in-house dining is operating, subject to permitted patron numbers, hence why booking is essential. The spacious deck is now also fitted with marquees and heating to accommodate guests happy to sit outside. Dining time slots are modified, and alcohol is unable to be served unless with a meal. Presently running on skeleton staff, it’s been a difficult road for the establishment, however the creative innovations introduced are admirable.
Local, live bands and artists too have been gagged by covid-19 regulations. Incomes are lost through the absence of regular engagements. However, many musicians have turned to online livestreaming and busking to pay their bills, and to keep in touch with their audience.
The pandemic has forced people to rethink their operations on a deeper level. Employees are on occasions prompted to learn new skills to support inventive restructuring. Many are working from home and accountable through virtual communications. Improvising production lines to suit demand has been imperative for business survival and implementing safety measures for staff and customers, a mandatory priority across the board.
Yes, it’s been a difficult and stressful phase, and still remains so, however rural businesses are to be applauded for their motivation and competency towards making the best of a serious, confronting, economic situation.
Let’s hope Victoria continues to heal and progressively open up, allowing for a safe, prosperous future.
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