Owner of Brighton’s Moose on the Jetty, Kerry McKay says her shop might close within months if bills keep growing

A cornerstone homeware shop in the state’s south is nearing the closure of its doors due to the cost-of-living plague.

The owner of Brighton homeware store, Moose on the Jetty has revealed she is at risk of shutting down her “beloved business” within a matter of months if the cost-of-living pressure continues.

Owner Kerry McKay said she has successfully managed her business for over a decade, – but everything has gone drastically downhill since the start of 2024.

Ms McKay said she believes the increased inflation has hit her business the hardest.

“I fear that with the cost-of living crisis as it is, within a couple of months, we’re going to be forced into a situation where we will have to close our doors,” she said.

“The current state of the economy is just impossible for small businesses to thrive.

“This store last week was down 61 per cent on figures compared to last year.”

Business owner Kerry McKay makes a desperate plea for shoppers to start spending as her homeware shop is under risk or closing within a few months. Picture: Dasha Havrilenko

Ms McKay pointed to the increased rental fees, growing electricity bill and the lack of foot traffic which is causing strife for her business.

“Our rent has gone up $10,000 since May … and that’s a lot of money for us to find,” she said.

“The utilities have just gone through the roof, electricity, telephone bills, all of those anomalies, the interest rate on everything has just skyrocketed.

“But the foot traffic isn’t there to cover the increased rates; less people are coming in and it’s the end of year financial sale at the moment and people are being precious about their money and spending it – because they are also being crippled by bills.

Ms McKay has revealed she has racked up debt because of the worsening situation.

This has forced Ms McKay to come out of semi-retirement which she was intending to spend with her two grandchildren, aged two and four.

However, Ms McKay said her business doesn’t bring in enough revenue per day for her to pay her six staff an hourly wage – which is why she’s working herself again.

“I can pay my staff up to $65 an hour on a public holiday – which is a lot of money – which is why it’s just easier for me to come out and work myself on public holidays or Sundays.”

Ms McKay has said the devastation her business is under has made her feel lost.

“I don’t know what to do and it’s really scary – I normally don’t worry about anything – I just do whatever needs to be done but … I don’t know,” she said.

Ms McKay asks for locals to support South Australian businesses – like Moose on the Jetty – to keep them alive.

Opposition leader David Speirs said the cost-of-living crisis is hitting small business hard.

“(The) lack of action is squeezing the life out of small businesses right across the state.”