Coronavirus outer east: Knox and Yarra Ranges businesses open for business during covid crisis
From coffee to cake, fruit and veg, chocolate, wine and even op shopping – here are the local businesses in Knox and Yarra Ranges still trading and trying to survive.
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No one expected the world to turn upside down in 2020 with a pandemic changing the way everyone lives and does business.
So, in these strange days of coronavirus restrictions, small businesses in the outer east have had to be innovative in the way they sell their products and produce to try and stay afloat.
We’ve showcased a handful of small businesses from Knox and the Yarra Ranges whose owners are urging the community to keep supporting local traders.
Let us know below if there are any you would like to give a shout out to as well.
Aussie Veteran’s Op Shop — Boronia
This Boronia charity has come up with a great option to keep buyers coming through its virtual door.
Staff post daily Facebook updates on items for sale and payment can be made in person by eftpos, bank transfer or credit card over the phone.
Mick and Fiona Quinn run the op-shop, which occupies two shops at Boronia Mall, with all the proceeds going to its veteran advocacy and support programs.
While the shop usually has 50 volunteers and one paid staff member, the coronavirus restrictions mean while the shop is selling through Facebook.
Mr Quinn said the team had been innovative in trying to sell its second-hand goods through social media.
And while people had bought some items, the charity still needs more buyers to get on board to help them keep it in business.
Hahndorf’s Fine Chocolates — Upper Ferntree Gully
Hahndorf’s Fine Chocolates Upper Ferntree Gully is promoting its Easter stock on Facebook, including eggs, truffles with an Easter twist, and hampers of chocolate goodies, and is offering free delivery locally for orders more than $50.
Owner Brett Lodding said the community had been very supportive during the lockdown.
“A lot of people are saying shop local and are trying to support local businesses,” he said.
“It’s hard not having the (dine-in) tables but with the takeaway coffees and chocolate shop itself we are doing OK.”
The Hatter & The Hare — Bayswater
Popular Bayswater cafe The Hatter & The Hare has started selling essential grocery items as it adjusts to strict new lockdown rules.
Owner Becky Buada said the majority of its operations had been moved online to make it easier for people to put in orders.
“People are still walking in (to pick up takeaway) and we’re maintaining the (social distancing guidelines) with signs and markings in the cafe now so that is always being observed,” Ms Buada said.
“People can come and pick up coffee and takeaway but we always encourage people to ring up or order online.
“We’ve also been trying to add in a few more products that would be useful like bread and milk and some fruit and things like that people can get off us, quality products from our suppliers.”
Ms Buada said they had also launched an Easter dinner meal, offering roast chicken, ham or pork, vegies, sides and desserts and hot cross bread and butter pudding.
The cafe is also selling its usual range of cakes as well as Easter eggs handcrafted by team members using premium French chocolate, with a vegan option available.
But Ms Buada said like all hospitality businesses they had been impacted by the lockdown restrictions.
“We’ve kept our essential people on board and for everybody else we’ve been trying to share shifts around so even if it means just a few hours or so for each person at least each one gets a shift,” she said.
“We’ve had to cut down our full-time staff to keep more people on board and be able to support out new operating model.”
Ms Buada said the support from the community had been overwhelming.
“Especially when we had to change everything basically overnight,” she said.
“They were able to adapt quickly along with us.”
Brumby’s Studfield — Wantirna South
Inspired by the popular Rainbow Trail popping up around the country, Brumby’s Studfield has started making rainbow bread, much to the delight of customers.
Melanie Zerafa, who runs the store’s Facebook page, said the response to the colourful loaves had been overwhelming.
“I am friends with the owner and baker of Brumby’s Studfield and given the Rainbow Trail is going around the neighbourhood with rainbows on footpaths and in windows it’s a fun way to brighten the kids’ days by making them sandwiches or afternoon tea with rainbow bread,” Ms Zerafa said.
Bakers Rebecca Barnes and Ray Williams mix red, blue and yellow food colouring together to create the loaves, making up to 45 a day.
“The colours absolutely pop,” Ms Zerafa said.
“The response has actually been incredibly overwhelming.”
The loaves taste the same as a regular white loaf, and are the same price, $4.10.
“It’s all about making people smile, anything to brighten their day,” Ms Zerafa said.
The store is asking people to pre-order the loaves and is offering free delivery to people who live within 5km.
Yering Farms — Yering
Family run Yering Farm is urging the community to support its local producers as it prepares its latest wine and cider vintages.
The St Huberts Rd, 12ha vineyard was planted in the late 1980s by Alan Johns on part of his parent’s 80ha apple and pear orchard.
Cellar door manager Megan Dalley said Mr Johns was a fifth generation orchard grower and wine maker.
Ms Dalley said the winery specialises in chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon – all perfect drops to try while you’re in isolation — but also produces smaller amounts of Shiraz, merlot and sauvignon blanc.
She said Yering Farm also produced Farmyard Apple Syder made with fresh pink lady apples from the orchard.
“Coming into winter red wine is more popular and perfect for snuggling up next to the fire, especially during isolation,” Ms Dalley said.
She said the winery produces about 6000 cases of wine annually, which is either sold from the cellar door or to select Melbourne restaurants, bars and independent wine stores.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic Yering Farm has been forced to close its cellar door which was open seven days to the public and tour companies.
The winery is now selling online and offering free postage.
Rayners Orchard – Woori Yallock
If you need fresh fruit and vegies, Woori Yallock growers Rayners Orchard has everything you need.
The School Rd orchard has closed its U-pick and tours because of coronavirus restrictions and turned its cafe into a shop, and as well as selling its own fruit, it is also showcasing produce from struggling farmers and growers across the region.
Len Rayner said there were spuds and onions from Warragul and grapes, tomatoes from Coldstream.
And for anyone who loves plums or might want to make some jam while in isolation, Rayners has some of its own fruit on sale as well.
Mr Rayner said fruit and vegie shops were still classified as essential and encouraged those looking for fresh produce to think of the orchard when they shop.
He said the doors were open to shoppers, or you could order online for either pick-up or delivery.
The Storehouse Mount Evelyn
A Mt Evelyn cafe has coffee lovers sorted during isolation.
As well as staff at The Storehouse making coffees, which you can pick up in store – plenty of space has been organised to social distance — the cafe is also a roastery and can post beans right to your door.
Owner Graeme Knoll said he was preparing plenty of coffees everyday, with orders either made by phone, or at the shop.
“We’ve been able to create a lot of standing room in shop with the mandatory 2m space and crosses on the ground,” Mr Knoll said.
For those who are stuck at home and love to make and drink coffee, Mr Knoll said he was running online barista courses.
Mr Knoll trains all his staff and usually runs barista classes in store for $120.
“Now for a fraction of the price of that you can do it at home,” he said.
And all you need is your favourite coffee.
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He said the course had 12 modules and covers a range of ways to make a good brew, including coffee machines and filter coffee as well.
Mr Knoll said he would shortly be launching a special coffee subscription service online, where customers can sign up and have a coffee delivered daily to their door.
Keep and eye on the cafe’s social media channels to find out when that will go live.