King William Rd traders are positive about the street’s future post its nine-month upgrade
The $15.5m redesign of King William Rd has closed the popular strip to traffic, and strangled business at shops — but how do local traders feel about their future? The answer is surprising.
- Bakery owner says he is King William Rd upgrade’s first victim
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King William Rd may be closed to traffic but more than 150 shops are still open for business. Owners concede times are hard but for those that survive the nine-month makeover hopes are high the Hyde Park precinct will return once again to be one of Adelaide’s destination shopping centres. CRAIG COOK spoke with four business owners to gauge their experiences of Unley Council’s $15.5 million grand redesign.
Nido Restaurant/Joybird — Emma Kardachi
Emma Kardachi says there may have been a better time to launch new business Joybird — that she labels a “fancy charcoal chicken shop” — but the future looks bright.
“We’re not opening at an optimum time but we think we’ve got the right concept in the right place (former Greek restaurant Zoe’s) to be successful,” the marketing manager for the Kardachi Food and Wine Collective says.
“The road upgrade is just what it needs — there’s been a lot of vacancies here for a long time.
“We need a thriving street to make all businesses strong and we need to give people a reason to come here.
“We’re hoping Joybird can be a drawcard for others in the street.”
It is 20 years ago this year that her husband, Simon Kardachi, launched his first restaurant venture, The Melting Pot, later just The Pot, on King William Rd.
Pizzeria restaurant Melt followed around eight years later.
Emma says the decision to rebrand The Pot to Nido was done specifically with the road upgrade in mind.
“Trade’s been better than expected for Nido but a bit slower for Melt but that relies more on passing trade, although takeaway and Uber are still strong,” she says.
“People come in specifically to say they want to make sure we are still around.
“But having said that the streets got some weeks to be closed yet and there are a lot of factors at play at this time of year.”
The Kardachis live in the area and say their strong local support base has seen them through the disruptive time.
But Emma is aware others are doing it tough.
“I do feel for many retailers along the street,” she says.
“We’ve known this has been coming for some time but you can’t really be prepared.
“In the restaurant work we’ve got lots of staff and we can’t just tell everyone to go on holidays.
“Hopefully we can get through and most businesses will survive.”
Denim Iniquity — Owner Ros Ellery
Ros Ellery from boutique Denim Iniquity has a unique take on the process of surviving the King William Rd upgrade.
“I reckon it’s just like having a baby,” she says.
“When it’s all over, you’ll have forgotten all about the pain.”
With three children, including daughter and business partner Louise Hewitson, and nine grandchildren, Ros should know.
She has been a trader on the road for almost 40 years and well remembers the last time, around 35 years ago, it was closed for a major upgrade.
“That took almost two years and was a bit of a shambles but this is going as well as can be expected,” she says.
“The (BMD Constructions) workers are fantastic and I can’t believe I’m saying how brilliant the council has been but they’ve done all they can.
“The street was dying. It’s a beautiful place and it’s going to be fantastic again.
‘I wouldn’t mind owning a home nearby because I’m thinking the price will go up.”
Ros, who has received rent relief from the Duke Group of Companies, the road’s dominant landlord with 48 properties, said the past few years had been the worst trading conditions in her time but her faithful customers had seen her through.
“When times are tough your regulars are even keener to support you,” she said.
“I’d like to be making more money but knew I wouldn’t be and have prepared for that.
“We have fantastic staff and we’re not putting anyone off, we’re just asking them to take a day off here or there or take holidays.”
Flourish Gift Shop — Owner Jackie Leo
Jackie Leo has had her Flourish gift shop on King William Rd for the past 15 years and moved in during the heyday of the shopping precinct.
“Back then this was the premier shopping street in Adelaide to wander along and browse and that’s what we want back,” she says.
“When you see the new section of road you realise just how shabby it had all become.
“No doubt sales are down but we can only hope its short-term pain for long-term gain.”
Jackie has chosen to spend more money during the road closure, upgrading computer systems, improving the shop website and modifying her business model.
“This was always going to be a tough month but I’m fortunate,” she says.
“I’ve spoken with my landlord and he’s a lovely independent man who has been great.
“I feel for businesses smaller than me though — I’ve got staff I can let go but if you work for yourself it must be tough.
“There may be a few more that go (broke) and that’s really sad — but there are a lot coming and more will follow.
“For those that can hang in it’s going to be great.”
She does have one grumble though.
“It was meant to start in February and I planned very thoroughly for that but they only began in June,” she says.
“I’m just hoping the road isn’t closed any longer than they’ve said (mid-August).”
Fish Out Of Water — Chris Thompson and Kate Symons
And the biggest boost has come from the road workers from BMD Constructions.
“I know quite a few of them by name already,” Chris, who runs the business with partner Kate Symons, says.
“We’ve been accommodating them as best we can and are happy to run food out if they are working down the other end of the street.
“But none of us would be doing well without the absolute loyalty of our customers.
“They are willing to walk that 10 minutes more just to support us and that almost puts a tear in my eye.”
Back from managing bars and restaurants in the UK, he bought FOOW in November knowing the road upgrade was happening and has been happy with the communication of Unley Council.
“Without sounding like I’m kissing up to them — which I’ll never do as a 35 year-old businessman — they are doing as much as they can do given this is a major roadworks,” Chris says.
“The Design King William team drop in once a week … and I’ve had no trouble getting a councillor to speak to.”
He says a reasonable landlord, who charges him a rent rate he believes is only 30 per cent of what others pay in the street, will see him survive “two months of pain”.
“Look, the end product is going to be absolutely breathtaking and will make this the number one shopping street of South Australia,” Chris says.
“I’m getting outdoor al fresco dining so I’m really not complaining.”