Racecourse Rd sales down but traders sure it will bounce back

Traders on a famous Brisbane high street who have faced difficult conditions for years insist that once the pandemic is over the street will bounce back — ready for a “big revival”.

TRADERS along a famous high street in a blue-chip Brisbane suburb are reporting sales drops of up to 70 per cent but insist the street “will come back” — better than ever.

The Hamilton Hotel is shut and the Winter Racing Carnival races at Eagle Farm are barred to the public, as one trader reports a drop in sales of up to 70 per cent.

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But retailers and restaurateurs along Racecourse Rd shopping strip at Ascot, book ended by the Eagle Farm Racecourse and the Brisbane River, are no strangers to adversity.

They dealt with the years-long closure of the historic racecourse and were forced to weather the effects of the delayed Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade.

Now, they are facing the pandemic restrictions with sense of optimism that is becoming a trademark of the street, predicting the destination’s revival is just around the corner.

The gates to Eagle Farm Racecourse at the top of Racecourse Rd.

HARRISON’S MENSWEAR

Ian Harrison’s specialty menswear shop Harrison’s Menswear, said his sales were down by up to 60 per cent as social isolation and a lack of functions dampened demand for new duds.

“So it’s a significant difference, but that’s been brought out about the restrictions the government put in place, rightfully so, to contain this pandemic,” he said.

However, he was still selling to loyal customers from the western suburbs of Brisbane, to Sydney, Melbourne and just this week shipped an order to Boston, in the United States.

“We believe in what we do, we know we do our job very well and we know our clients will come back after this pandemic is over,” he said.

He said while foot traffic on Racecourse Rd, like other strip shopping locations, was down now he was sure the street would pull through and thrive after the pandemic.

“On Racecourse Rd itself, the council has put a lot of work into recently by lighting up all the trees and it looks a very pleasant boulevard,” he said.

“We’ve got a new development nearly completed and other stores that have been done up, near the top of the street.

“By midway next year we’ll have a lot of new businesses. I think the street’s up for quite a big revival.”

Ian Harrison opened Harrison’s Menswear more than 35 years ago. Pic by Sarah Keayes

SAVIDA SHOES

Savida Shoes owner Jan Goakes, who is also part of the Racecourse Road Business Group, said the street was “open for business.”

“Most of the businesses that are allowed to stay open are open and we are certainly smiling and we’re really trying hard,” she said.

“I’m going out on the street to hook ‘em in, I’m going out and saying, ‘Hey gorgeous come on in’.

While businesses were “in survival mode” right now, she said there was no doubt “Racecourse Rd will come back”.

“The local people have been incredible, they are supporting the local businesses.

“We all know how devastating it would be for businesses not to survive this.

“We are doing our absolute utmost to get through this, and together we will.”

She said “obviously, no-one’s doing well at the moment” but owners were reinventing their businesses and ways of reaching their customers.

“There’s businesses like myself and Joli Boutique, we’re offering free delivery, I’ve been delivering to Everton Park and Paddington.”

Savida Shoes, on Racecourse Rd, is open for business. Picture: Ellen-Maree Elliot

WISTERIA CAFE

Just a couple doors down from Ms Goakes is Cafe Wisteria, which owner Yong Zhang signed a six year lease on just two months ago, excited about its “fantastic location” just outside Coles.

Cafe Wisteria, on Racecourse Rd, has seen a 60 to 70 per cent drop in sales, but is grateful to customers for their support. Picture: Ellen-Maree Elliot

“I had really strong confidence in this business, in this shop. I had really big plans for the cafe, future plans,” he said.

“I still do, I just need to be patient and wait for this period to finish.”

He said takings were down by up to 70 per cent and he was making about $400 to $500 a day, while still needing to pay his small staff and rent.

Being in this situation for six months would be “too long” for his business.

Mr Zhang said his neighbours, including the workers at Coles, the banks and other stores and those who lived on the street had been “so nice to use”.

“We really appreciate the neighbours, without them we wouldn’t survive even a week,” he said.

“The senior people, especially, they still come here for their drinks, they give us hope.”

KATHRON DRY CLEANERS

Third-generation owner at Kathron Dry Cleaners Eugenia Veneris, said her family had “money saved for a rainy day, anyway” and her biggest concerns were for her staff.

“The Australian residents will get the JobKeeper payments but we have international students who are not entitled to anything, so I try to give them more hours,” she said.

She said the shop was operating “every second or third day” as the machines would cost more to run every day than what the business was bringing in.

“We’re lucky we’re a destination. Last week, we had two separate brides drive down from the Sunshine Coast with their wedding gowns,” she said.

She said she felt for people who had lost jobs and needed assistance, and asked the community to tell her if they knew people needed help.

“A friend told me about seeing a homeless man living in his car, and I said, ‘If you see him again, tell him to come and see me and I’ll clean his clothes for free’,” she said.

“I just need to know, so I can help.”

She said the most disconcerted she felt was during the first night of lockdown, during a walk with her dog to Portside Wharf.

“That first night and everything was black, except for the apartment lights.

“Seeing that, that was a little bit daunting.”

She said the government had done a “fabulous job” responding to the crisis.

Kathron Dry Cleaners, at Kingsford Smith Drive, near the corner of Racecourse Rd. Picture: Ellen-Maree Elliot.