Buy Australian: Collins Street businesses band together as Melbourne’s CBD reopens

Despite visitors returning to the CBD, many Melburnians are still required to work from home, so local businesses have forged a new plan.

As restrictions ease and the streets of Melbourne spring back to life, Collins Street’s leading food destinations are banding together to create a hamper box with a difference.

Despite visitors returning to the CBD, many Melburnians are still required to work from home, which inspired Co-Lab Pantry and Collins Street Precinct Group to recreate the experience of a day on Collins Street in the form of a collaborative hamper.

“With so many businesses still working from home, Collins Street is still so quiet,” says Danielle Lebon, co-founder of Co-Lab. “It’s going to take some time to rebuild, so the Only On Collins Street boxes enable Melburnians to experience all that we miss from Collins Street until it becomes what it once was.”

Halle O’Bryan from MetaScent, Sofie Gillard from Botanica Wellness Spa and Clinic, Yuri Angele from Brunetti hope to get people back to the Collins Street precinct. Picture: David Crosling

Thoughtfully hand-picked, the exclusive boxes are available in three tiers, featuring local produce from renowned Melbourne establishments like legendary Italian Pasticceria, Brunetti’s, EARL Canteen, bespoke perfumery MetaScent and Botanica Wellness and Spa Clinic.

The initiative has been welcomed by Yuri Angele, director of Brunetti’s. “It’s a beautiful thing to see Melbourne alive again, however, we still have a long way to go until we reach pre-covid levels.”

Until regular crowds resume, online shopping remains a major source of sales for many Victorian retailers, businesses and producers with virtual marketplace, BuyAustralia, doing its bit to encourage Australians to buy local.

Thoughtfully hand-picked, the exclusive boxes are available in three tiers, featuring local produce from renowned Melbourne establishments. Picture: Supplied

“Pre-Covid, our business was 100 per cent based on retail, but we’ve pivoted to an online presence with companies like Co-Lab who reach more of our customers,” said Mr Angele.

“Even though Melburnians are once again able to enjoy all that the Collins Street Precinct has to offer, now more than ever the members of our Precinct and the much-loved businesses that make up Collins Street need our support,” said Luke Harris, president of Collins Street Precinct Group.

“By purchasing an Only On Collins box, you are able to directly support our wonderful businesses on their road to recovery.”

Delivered straight to your door, the carefully curated boxes are available exclusively online through Co-Lab Pantry.

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Buy Australian is a News Corp Initiative – in partnership with Woolworths and Australian Made Campaign and supported by Red Energy – to help put money back in to our economy by supporting our producers, makers and manufacturers.

Originally published as Buy Australian: Collins Street businesses band together as Melbourne’s CBD reopens