Birch and Bear owners say unique items are key to beating retail blues

Northcote’s premier shopping strip is thriving, bucking the trend of Melbourne’s retail blues. Traders say they’re attracting customers from all across Melbourne to their High St shops. Here’s why.

Birch and Bear owners say the variety keeps people coming back. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Despite proclamations the death of retail is near, High St, Northcote is busier and more bustling than ever.

The popular shopping strip is well known for its mix of quirky shops, cafes and live music venues and is in high demand with retailers.

A survey by property agency Fitzroys found High St had one of the lowest commercial vacancy rates in Melbourne, beaten only by Smith St, Collingwood and Upper Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe.

High St vacancy rates are among the lowest in Melbourne. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Just 3 per cent of stores along the High St strip are vacant, down 1 per cent from 2018.

This is in contrast to the traditional hubs of Melbourne like Lygon St, Carlton at 13.5 per cent, Chapel St, Windsor at 11.4 per cent and Brunswick St, Fitzroy at 9.4 per cent.

Fitzroys director David Bourke said shopping strips were adaptive to change and would always be popular with shoppers.

“Melbourne’s iconic retail strips continue to reinforce their position as the heartbeat of their local communities,” he said.

Kim Amici and Donna Lowe sell a range of unique and handmade toys. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Birch and Bear owner Donna Lowe, who has been on High St for 15 years, said trade had dropped over the past three years but Northcote’s unique offerings kept people coming in.

“If you’re going to survive you have to offer something different,” she said.

Owned with sister Kim Amici, Birch and Bear stocks a range of natural and handmade products but focuses on ethical children’s toys.

The pair have started to use an online store and Instagram to boost their sales.

“People are tired of mass produced things,” Ms Lowe said.

“There are customers who come from Hawthorn and Toorak and are tired of labels and are looking for something different.”

“They can get things here they can’t get anywhere else.”

MORE NEWS: TRADERS FIGHT CROSSING CLOSURE

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SLEEP IN PRESTON?

CHAINSAW ROGUES CHOP PROTECTED TREES AT NIGHT

High St stores have always been supported by the presence of smashed avo and a latte, but food and beverage outlets on High St actually decreased by 3.3 per cent from last year.

They were replaced by retail stores, particularly service retail like beauty clinics and fitness studios.

@richardapearce