Avoca markets boss Brad Cardis asks for support for stallholders during shutdown
Fires, floods and now coronavirus. Small business owners who rely on income from markets are doing it tough. Now they have released a plea to the community to support their local traders.
Central Coast
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A local market promoter has asked locals to “check in” on small business owners doing it tough as a result of coronavirus restrictions.
Brad Cardis, of Fixx Events, said the decision to cancel this weekend’s Avoca Beachside Markets at Heazlett Park foreshore was “heartbreaking”.
“We feel after a difficult few days of taking all the implications into account this is the only decision to be made to keep our community’s best interest at heart,” he posted online.
“Saying that we have 115 beautiful small businesses who are now going to find it really difficult to survive all the cancelled events.”
Mr Cardis said he and his wife Bianca didn’t make the decision lightly, with the cancellation just the event’s second in 10 years.
“Morally and ethically, it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
It comes as Regional Development Australia (RDA) urge people to continue to support local businesses.
RDA Central Coast chair Phil Walker said the threat of coronavirus and the measures being taken to prevent its spread continued to impact local and regional businesses.
“Many businesses within our community are doing it tough,” he said.
“Some will not survive the challenges that they have encountered this year.”
The Haloumi Hut owner Stelio Nicolaou – known for his haloumi burgers and haloumi fries – is one of the local vendors reliant on market trade. The cancellation of this week’s Avoca markets was his third event cancellation in four days. Following on from the impact of the bushfires and floods, he is doing it tough.
“I know a lot of people at markets have other jobs – I don’t,” he said.
“I’m two months behind on my mortgage; everything just seems to be crashing down.”
He is grateful for the support of Bay Rd Brewing at Gosford. Owner Grant Buckham coincidentally offered Mr Nicolaou the opportunity to sell his wares at his venue from April 3-5.
“We reached out to him to see if he was interested to come down for the weekend,” Mr Buckham said.
“We want to do what we can to help other small businesses keep going.”
Bay Rd Brewing also regularly cross promotes with neighbouring restaurant Baker St to help bring people into the area.
With the uncertainty facing so much local events and small businesses, Mr Cardis encouraged locals to “think local”.
“Go to the likes of Six Strings Brewery, Fires Creek Winery or Mr Goaty Gelato,” he said.
“Or take a drive out to the farms and buy something.
“Tap into people who have local produce and if you know anyone in the industry, just check on them. Keep supporting local; even more so now.”
MESSAGE FROM REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA (RDA)
“We understand that many of you may be feeling scared, isolated and overwhelmed with all of the information currently circulating in regard to COVID-19,” RDA Central Coast chair Phil Walker said.
“We share this sentiment and respect the need for social distancing, but want to also encourage you to continue to show your support for the businesses in our community that will undoubtedly be impacted by these global events.”
He said now more than ever was the time to support local businesses.
“This is why it is more important now than ever before, for us to support those businesses which form the backbone of our community.
“What we are asking is simple. Continue to eat at your local cafe. If you don’t wish to eat out, opt for a takeaway option instead. Continue to buy product from local vendors. Wherever possible, continue to buy local.”