Mont Albert Florist, Mr Robertson cafe welcome back customers after lockdown
After resembling “ghost towns” for months, Whitehorse shopping strips are coming back to life, despite several empty shops. It comes as the new tenant for a former popular Blackburn supermarket is revealed.
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Whitehorse shopping strips are coming back to life after months of lockdown, with many businesses reopening their doors.
When Leader visited the Blackburn Station Village and Mitcham shops, many cafes were busy as customers enjoyed the chance to dine-in again.
At Blackburn, most shops were occupied while in Mitcham there were several empty shops for lease.
Mitcham cafes including Two Brothers, Dark Horse on the Brit and Mylk Bar were a popular choice for brunch.
It comes as the former Blackburn IGA store, vacant since the end of last year, is set to be turned into a childcare centre.
Signage on the site said Nido Early School would take the place of the supermarket.
Mont Albert Florist’s Nell Rose said she was excited lockdown had lifted.
She said the store had been able to stay open during lockdown thanks to phone and internet orders.
“We were pretty consistent throughout the time, we just had to juggle around all the COVID rules,” Ms Rose said.
She said when restrictions eased on Wednesday, it was like someone had clicked their fingers and said ‘Right, come out.’
“Prior to today it was like a ghost town around here,” she said.
“Everyone has a new outlook on life today.
“It has been a really tough time for local businesses.”
Ms Rose said she wasn’t aware of any businesses nearby that had closed for good as a result of the lockdown.
“It might be hard to tell, but in the next few weeks we will get an idea who has survived and who hasn’t,” she said.
“I just hope that shoppers come back over the Christmas festive season and support local businesses because everyone has to recoup what they didn’t get over the past three months really.”
Dennis Chronis, who owns two cafes in Whitehorse, Mont Albert’s Mister and Miss and Nunawading’s Mr Robertson, said they had made the best out of a bad situation.
“Both cafes were allowed to trade just for takeaway and (Wednesday) was our first day back for people being seated in our cafes and both were very busy which was fantastic,” Mr Chronis said.
“The public has come back and welcomed us with open arms again.”
Mr Chronis said the lockdown had been tough for the businesses, with revenue down 80 per cent.
“It was a very difficult time but we got through it and we’ve come out the other end which is great,” he said.
Mr Chronis said he was looking forward to restrictions easing further on November 8.
And he said the businesses won’t be closing over Christmas and New Year this year.
“We will go straight through to make up for the lost business I suppose,” he said.
Meanwhile businesses are also reopening at Burwood Brickworks, with acre farm & eatery welcoming customers back from Friday for walk-in brunch and lunch.
It will then be open from Wednesday – Sunday for brunch and lunch and will take bookings for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.
Whitehorse Council has created free, fast-tracked outdoor trading permits that provide hospitality venues with more options to trade safely.
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