Stick with us, Glenelg traders urge ‘ghost town’ Bay
Glenelg is a “ghost town” and the closure of the Grand hotel is yet another blow to local tourism. But businesses are adapting to survive – here's how.
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Glenelg is a “ghost town” and the closure of Stamford Grand Adelaide Hotel is yet another blow to the once-popular Jetty Rd tourism precinct, local traders say.
But retail and hospitality business owners are finding ways to survive – with online and takeaway trade – and say it’s the local community that can see them through the COVID-19 crisis.
As The Advertiser has previously reported, Adelaide’s two Stamford hotels, in Glenelg and Adelaide, have closed their doors because of the virus.
Nutrition Republic owner Nicole Sumracki said a staff member identified that day as “the quietest she’d ever seen”. The health cafe is still open, offering its menu as takeaway, as well as pantry items, including bulk organic wholefoods. “We will trade as long as we can in the area,” she said.
The Strand Cafe Restaurant owner Jay Patel said the hotel’s closure would be felt across the board. “If there is a single business that closes on Jetty Rd, it affects everyone,” he said.
Mr Patel took over the 180-seat diner 2½ years ago, and said he was now paying kitchen staff out of his own pocket to keep the business afloat until government assistance kicks in next month.
“Eighty per cent of business on Jetty Rd is closed,” he said.
“Some bars and cafes are still open but they are struggling also. We are down 75-80 per cent (of usual income) but I am staying open to keep staff, because they have supported me over the past 2½ years.”
Mr Patel said takeaway trade was strong. “Luckily, we have regular customers supporting locals,” he said.
Gina Britton of baby and children’s boutique Daisy and Hen closed her three shopfronts last weekend – including in Jetty Rd, Glenelg, as well as the Barossa Valley and Stirling.
“We finished trading with the outbreak of cases in the Barossa,” she said. “It’s a ghost town (in Glenelg). We’re trying to support our favourite little cafes as much as we can but … everyone is feeling worried.”
The good news, Ms Britton said, was that sales were booming on her store’s website. She urged customers to “find your favourite business on Facebook or Instagram and engage with them”.
“Everyone is doing something to encourage their customers to continue to shop with them, even if their doors aren’t open,” she said.
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Holdfast Bay Council Mayor Amanda Wilson said the coronavirus pandemic had been “devastating” for Glenelg tourism. Occupancy in its 33 accommodation properties for April-June had dropped to 13 per cent before the travel ban, compared with the usual 70-80 per cent. She said many stores, including fashion, homewares and book shops, remained open.
“We’ve also seen some great ingenuity from traders, such as Caruso’s Fresh Foods, who were quick to adapt and started a very popular delivery service,” she said, adding that an economic task group was being formed to help with post-COVID-19 recovery.
Meanwhile, restaurants on the Marina Pier have banded together to offer a collaborative takeaway service, Takeaway at the Bay.
Ellenika Taverna owner Damian Vasilevski said while the Grand’s closure was a blow to the area, local support was the key to survival.
“If you don’t have that connection with the locals, you don’t get through this at all,” he said.