Coronavirus Maroondah: Croydon Main Street, Heathmont Village, Ringwood highway traders re-open
Traders at shopping strips around Maroondah have expressed their relief at reopening their doors — and most are confident of staying afloat post-coronavirus as well.
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Traders on shopping strips throughout Maroondah have shared their relief and optimism for the future as they begin to welcome back customers.
But its unclear if Maroondah Council will do anything to support them, with the council not responding to questions about any plans to help attract customers.
Premier Daniel Andrews gave retailers the green light to re-open and welcome customers back in store in small numbers on Wednesday.
On Croydon Main Street, Littorios cafe owner Michael Raydan said he was excited to resume dine-in service after a “boring” and challenging time in lockdown.
Mr Raydan said his business would have gone under if it wasn’t for the Federal Government’s Jobkeeper scheme.
“The 5km restriction was a disaster for us, it was so boring for us in here,” he said.
“We hope everyone comes back, and we’re trying to do something nice outside with a decking area,” he said.
Maroondah Leader noticed close to 10 abandoned shops, some with ‘For Lease’ signs, on the strip on Tuesday.
Croydon Main Street Traders Association president Andrew King said the strip’s traders were “all ready and raring to go” and they were working on expanded outdoor dining arrangements with the council.
“We’re happy to be back to normality and we think people will be happy to come and see us again and browse and shop at their leisure,” he said.
Traders on Maroondah Highway in Ringwood were also optimistic about their futures following the pandemic.
Five Star Music manager Joe Yammouni said it was “good for the soul” to open his doors and welcome customers back in store.
Mr Yammouni said the shop and the strip would be boosted by activity from The Sebel hotel when it opened next year.
“It might take a little bit of time for people to get out and about, with people being at home more, they’re leaning towards musical instruments to keep themselves occupied,” he said.
TLC Espresso’s Lyndon Rist said he had noticed one hairdresser leave the strip during the pandemic, and he had also moved his business a couple of doors down.
Mr Rist said he had stayed afloat courtesy of tradies working on nearby construction sites.
At Heathmont Village, Heathmont Flowers’ owner Helen Brown said its traders had been resilient, with the strip’s Subway restaurant the only casualty during the virus outbreak.
Ms Brown said she hoped the smaller strips would attract shoppers conscious about their health and safety.
“People will be wary of going to large shopping centres for a while, they don’t want a third wave,” she said.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) it felt like it was a real community again, everyone was popping their heads in.
“The strip was OK during lockdown, but now it’s back to being busy and people coming and going.”
The council’s communications team did not respond to questions by deadline.
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