Which Mt Eliza, Mornington and Mt Martha traders are open and how customers can stay safe
Shoppers desperate for an in-store experience are returning to the Mornington Peninsula’s retail areas as business owners “put their toe in the water” again. Trader groups say customers are much needed but but safety will come before profit.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Retail precincts forced online during the coronavirus pandemic are now starting to welcome customers back in person.
Some stores in Mt Eliza, Mornington and Mt Martha have already opened for limited hours or by appointment and others are expected to follow suit later this week.
Mt Eliza Chamber of Commerce representative Alison Doherty said most retailers would be open in some form from today.
“It’s very much a case of traders putting their toe in the water,” she said.
“Ladies fashion outlets, gift shops and hair salons are reopening with a range of precautions in place.”
Safety measures include only allowing one or two people inside the shop at any one time, prohibiting people from trying on clothes and making sure hand sanitiser was readily available.
Ms Doherty said clothing shops were especially keen to welcome customers in store as many had autumn stock to shift.
“I think they’re hopeful that people unable to take Mum out to brunch or lunch for Mother's Day might be looking for a gift instead,” she said.
Mornington’s normally vibrant Main Street retail precinct has resembled a ghost town in recent weeks but the strip was looking more lively on Monday morning.
When Leader visited at least a dozen shops had reopened and there were small groups of people waiting on the footpath to enter.
All businesses had instructions at the door advising people to use hand sanitiser, stay 1.5m apart and warning cash would not be accepted.
There were also limits to the number of customers allowed inside the open shops.
Many more closed businesses had new signs advising of limited opening hours and instructions on how to book a private appointment.
KOH Living manager Margie Holmes said they closed the retail outlet on March 23 but she was still coming in to fill online orders.
“Initially the street was like a ghost town, but about ten days ago people started to come back.
“We’re now open 10am-4.30pm. It’s still really quiet. If we get three customers a day we’ve done well.”
Ms Holmes said a lot of traders had decided to open their doors again for Mother’s Day.
Unearthed Tea and Coffee owner Peter Thomas said when the restrictions were first introduced he “went from people panic buying and being busier than ever to nothing overnight”.
“I had to adapt quickly. The most challenging aspect was getting the message out there that I was operating online and doing home delivery.”
Mr Thomas said in the past two weeks customers had started asking if they could collect their coffee beans or tea instore.
“People are starting to feel more comfortable coming back to the shop and demand for home delivery is starting to die down. I am responding to that,” he said.
Michelle-Ann Bras and Swimwear has remained opened throughout the partial lockdown.
Michelle-Ann Mitchell, who’s mother Lois Mitchell started the business in 1967, said the service was considered essential.
“We offer fittings for ladies who have a prothesis after a mastectomy,” she said.
Ms Mitchell said there had been recent demand for sleepwear and dressing gowns from families looking for Mother’s Day gifts and people buying presents for relatives in nursing homes that they were not allowed to visit.
“Things are slowly starting to pick up again,” she said.
Mornington Chamber of Commerce representative Alex Levy said the response to the crisis from all traders had been “amazing”.
“They all jumped into action and built and launched online shops within a week or so,” she said.
“I’m really proud they have been able to adapt and try to get through.”
MORE NEWS
WALKERS SLAM DOG OWNERS FOR PENINSULA POO-LUTION
CALL FOR CONSTRUCTION LED RECOVERY ON PENINSULA
HOW TO BEAT THE BOOZE DURING LOCKDOWN
Mt Martha Village was also starting to rebound as traders reopened.
Silk Hair Skin and Body opened on April 27 for hair services including cut and colour. Pomme gift shop is now welcoming two customers at a time in store from Monday to Wednesday, 10am-1pm and Main Exposure was also open for limited hours – Wednesdays 10am-2pm, Thursdays, 10-4pm and weekends from 10am to 5pm.
Open again in Mornington
Cotton On Body
Farrells Bookshop
Home in the Hamptons
Herman
by appointment only
KOH Living
Main Desire
Michelle Ann Bras and Swimwear
Sketa
Unearthed Tea and Coffee
W-Lane
Zen Living