New businesses are ‘excited’ but scraping by as Jetty Rd works continue in Glenelg

Seven new businesses have opened in Glenelg’s Jetty Rd since roadworks began, but traders are calling on customers for support as they scrape by.

Seven new businesses have “taken a risk” opening in the midst of the major Jetty Rd redevelopment in Glenelg, saying they have to be “very patient” and hope for a busy new year.

Construction works on the $40m redevelopment of Glenelg’s premier strip started in August, and while that, the closure of the tram line, and the algal bloom have reduced foot traffic and trade, that hasn’t stopped seven businesses opening their doors — and more in future.

Shortly after work began Khrma Clothing, a national clothing brand, opened its doors; a month later 1990Co, a Vietnamese restaurant, started serving lunch and dinner, and just a few doors down A Little Retail Therapy — which is a business collective of 35 vendors from SA selling goods, and was previously a pop-up stall — opened its own shop around the same time.

Spicy Chick is one of seven businesses that have opened since the Jetty Rd redevelopment works began in August. Owner, Shahzaib Lakhani is looking forward to a busy period when works are finished. Picture: Dean Martin

Soda Rooftop Bar opened in November, as did chicken shop Spicy Chick, restaurant Cheeseburger, and on Monday, Momo Japanese Souffle Pancakes.

Spicy Chick owner Shahzaib Lakhani said it had been hard opening in an environment with a “collapsing” customer base, “but you’ve got to take risks”.

“It’s going to be crowded in a month or two,” he said.

“Even if the store is only breaking even there’s a chance we can stay alive and become something really big.

“Right now, I’m surviving on other income from our Unley store because Jetty Rd is not so great at the moment.

“But I’m excited, more people will be here when this is done and the trams are back, it’s going to be great for all of us (businesses).”

Zainab Salimey is confident that business at Cheeseburger near Moseley Square will inevitably pick up, after a quiet start. Picture: Dean Martin

Cheeseburger near Moseley Square opened earlier this month, but business has been “very slow” since. Picture: Dean Martin

Zainab Salimey opened Cheeseburger just off Moseley Square, near The Beachouse, earlier this month and said it had been “very slow” since.

Cheeseburger currently has one other store in Adelaide’s Hindley St, Ms Salimey assuming wrongly business at the prime beachfront precinct of Glenelg would surpass the popular city restaurant.

“It’s been really quiet, we don’t even have enough customers to pay our staff at the minute,” she said.

“But, there is one regular who comes in for a coffee and he says to me: ‘you just have to be patient’.

Good Khrma, managed by Ayla MacMahon, who says business has definitely been impacted by the road works. Picture: Dean Martin

“So we’re being very patient, and hopefully when school and university holidays come, and all that (work) is done we can really start to do well.”

Only days after work started, Khrma Clothing opened its doors, though Ayla MacMahon took on the role of manager about three weeks ago.

She said despite her short stint having work done “right outside our door” blew in a lot of dust, and not many customers.

“You can tell when the work is being done further up the road and not here, people come in more,” Ms MacMahon said.

“We’re hoping when this is all done it’ll be better, I’m excited, but we have to wait and see.”

It’s understood a new gelato bar will open soon on Jetty Rd, and other shopfronts are being leased out to businesses expected to open in the new year.