Why shopping local can keep our main streets humming
When times are tough, it’s even more important to shop local, support the state’s small businesses and keep the money in our state. And your first stop should be the main street.
With the cost of living continuing to hit hard, buying South Australian has never been more important to maintaining the livelihoods of local businesses.
So, next time you head to the shops, consider that it is also a great opportunity to also support your main street and local community.
SE Waite and Son on The Parade, Norwood has served locals for 105 years, and current owner Shane Waite said he has noticed a recent shift to support local despite a rapidly evolving market.
“When the internet and online buying happened, that’s still a major concern – but a lot of people now realise if you don’t shop local you don’t have local shops,” he said.
“The Parade still has lots of people walking up and down [and] coming in the doors even though there are other options – sometimes maybe cheaper – but the locals really do support our business, which is fantastic.”
Waite said seeing the Buy SA tags on products adds a feel-good element to shopping, and the people behind the counter make a difference.
“That’s what sets us apart – 90 per cent of the time there’s an owner of the business here and a family member – so that makes people happy to come in,” he said.
Further down The Parade, fashion retailer Sarah Waldron said, of all she stocks, local brands make her shop Never Trev a destination.
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With more than 15 years in the fashion industry behind her, Waldron opened Never Trev early last year.
“I’ve now got seven local SA brands,” Waldron said, “People know, when they come in here, they know that I stock them, and they come specifically for these brands.”
“Norwood Parade has got a huge traffic flow here, and I think people much prefer these days trying things on, touching the products, feeling the materials and finding their comfort in their local stores, which I think is very important.”
For those who are eager to support local while on the road, Victoria Street, Robe has plenty of South Australian businesses, including the Robetown Chocolate Company run by Lisa and Martin Ruffell.
Martin said part of the reason people return to local brands, even in a time of frugality, is they are usually of a higher quality.
“I’d like to think that’s the reason why people buy our chocolate as opposed to the national brands,” he said.
“We found this Easter just gone was the biggest week and Saturday was the biggest day we’ve ever had.
“I think South Australia is highly underrated. I mean it has such a good food and beverage industry, and it’s under the radar to a certain extent.
“Who wants to go to a town like [Robe] to buy Cadbury’s? I mean no offence to Cadbury, but if there’s a local chocolate place, well, let’s check that out.”
Camille Lehmann is Manager of Community Development for the District Council of Robe, and she echoed the sentiment of why people should stay loyal to South Australian owned brands.
“[Robe is] a small community and we’re so good at supporting our own local businesses,” she said.
“Every shop is a great ambassador for the town and for promoting one another.”
Lehmann said knowing the name of the person behind the counter adds a feel-good element to shopping.
“You know them, you can see them, so I suppose that helps with the connection and wanting to buy locally and supporting locally,” she said.
Traditionally, main streets have been preserve of locally owned businesses – from cafés to health and beauty services, retail to entertainment, locally-owned supermarkets to artisans and makers – while also greatly contributing to the unique character of a suburb or town.
Some like the Jetty Road, Glenelg precinct also help to attract tourist dollars, the benefit of which often spreads to the wider community, encouraging micro and small businesses to open and add to the vibrancy of the main street.
Barb’s Sew and Knits is one of the 300-strong businesses within the Jetty Road precinct and has been operating just off the busy street for the last 30 years.
Specialising in handmade jumpers and wool from all around the world, owner Barb Noll said a big part of South Australian business ownership is fostering lasting connections with customers – and that has kept doors open with living expenses rising.
“You’ve got to form a relationship with the customer and help them out and advise them – that does build up the customer lines,” she said.
“They can come in and see the wool and feel the wool and buy their own patterns – I usually get a pretty good line of customers.”
Wishart Jewellers is another long-time, family owned, South Australian and Jetty Road icon, with third generation owner Daniel Wishart now working among their team of jewellers.
“I think we’re a little bit protected from mass produced companies just because we provide customised pieces for certain milestones in life,” Wishart said.
“We stay away from cast items and tend to hand make wherever possible – 90 per cent of our product is hand-made.”
Although Wishart said he understands the cost of living is impacting businesses and shoppers, he says having quality products and service has seen the company through economic ups and downs.
He said that customers should always consider local businesses like Wishart Jewellers because “we are 100 per cent face to face”.
“We’ll go from a concept into a design phase and deliver the product how the communication has unfolded,” he said.
“It’s good to actually touch and feel that and see it in person to get the understanding of what you’re going to get in the end product.”
Visit your main street, or find ideas for locally designed and made fashion and accessories that are perfect for Mother’s Day at Buy SA. For SA.
