How an eastern suburbs community banded together to save local businesses

A group of determined eastern suburbs residents banded together to save their favourite shops after Covid and a level crossing removal threatened to send business owners to the wall.

Two years ago, one of the state government’s much vaunted level crossing removal projects put the brakes on a group of shops in Melbourne east already struggling after the pandemic.

Shops along Union Rd, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Rd, Mont Albert suffered through long road closures while the project was completed.

In an effort to save their shops from going under, locals banded together in the form of a weekly coffee catch up.

The group catch up at a different local cafe every Thursday.

“The works essentially cut off both shopping villages and the local businesses were suffering greatly,” group organiser Yvonne Bowyer said.

“The roads were closed, and parking was unavailable as it was taken up by construction workers’ vehicles.

“I am not a business owner but I couldn’t just stand by and watch these business owners be decimated.”

Ms Bowyer created a weekly coffee group that migrated between cafes along Union Rd and Mont Albert Rd every Thursday.

Mont Albert and Union roads were closed for months during level crossing removal works in Mont Albert and Surrey Hills. Picture: Level Crossing Removal Project

For Ms Bowyer, and the members of the Thursday coffee group, the catch up became much more than a way to support local businesses — it helped residents make friends and get out of the house after Covid.

“We were all strangers when we first started meeting,” group member Judy O’Brien said.

“There are members of all ages and we have all different types of conversations.

“We have never once run out of things to talk about and I don’t think we will.”

Even after the roads reopened the group continued meeting every Thursday.

Zimt Patisserie owner Micheal Leider said he appreciated the support of the community group.

Zimt Patisserie owner Micheal Leider said the coffee group was an amazing support for his business during the level crossing removals.

“Covid really disrupted our business, and then we were hit with the level crossing removals and it was really difficult for our family business,” he said.

“The group was such a great thing for us because it helped save our shopping strip from becoming a complete ghost town.”

The Boulevard Foodstore owner, Marnie Heenan, said during the level crossing removals, Mont Albert was “basically cut in half”.

“A lot of regular customers just found it too difficult to get to us and as a result we were faced with such a challenging time for our business,” she said.

“The coffee group has been helping support our business for two years.

“It has been so lovely to see friendships grow and share in the sound of a busy and bustling cafe which they bring.”

Ms Bowyer said the group would continue to meet every Thursday and would love to welcome new members.