Future Victoria: The suburban shopping strips that are thriving in Melbourne
Some suburban shopping strips are doing it tough, but it is not all doom and gloom. These are the Melbourne shopping streets that are bucking the trend and winning customers’ hearts and wallets.
Future Victoria
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Online shopping, economic wobbles, rising rents and ever-expanding major shopping centres can be a lethal combination for small retail and food businesses.
And some Melbourne shopping strips are falling victim to these pressures, with even once-bustling streets like Chapel Street, Richmond’s Bridge Road, Lygon St in Carlton, Acland St in St Kilda hit with mounting vacancies.
Yet a PwC survey of 4612 Victorians found access to leisure facilities, including shops, was the second-most important factor in whether people loved where they lived — behind only community safety, and equal to inclusiveness of the local area.
Almost half were dissatisfied with their local leisure facilities and services, particularly in outer-ring Melbourne suburbs — with lack of shops, entertainment and activities among top gripes.
In August, traders and councils outlined steps they were taking to revitalise some of Melbourne’s most iconic shopping strips, including extra parking, fun activities, and a push for a tax on vacant shopfronts to penalise landlords who refused to lower rents to fill shops.
But plenty of retail strips across Melbourne are thriving, according to Peter McNabb, president of retail think tank Mainstreet Australia.
“There’s a wide range of (retail strips) that are working well and those are ones that have a really good mix of businesses – retail and other businesses,” Mr McNabb said.
Mr McNabb said having services like banks, accountants, law firms and aged-care help could help keep neighbourhood shopping strips alive, as could streetscape improvements to improve the safety and amenity of the area.
“That’s really, really crucial – that people feel safe and comfortable going to these centres,” he said.
Through Leader Community News’ Facebook pages, we asked Melburnians to share their favourite shopping strips. Here’s what they told us:
EASTERN AND NORTHEASTERN SUBURBS
MAIN STREET, CROYDON
Croydon Main Street has become a popular cafe strip on weekends and also has plenty of speciality businesses and restaurants offering various cuisines.
Traders also put on events and activations throughout the year that draw hundreds of people, including a multicultural festival, Father’s Day Superheroes Festival and Christmas pet parade.
The strip was boosted earlier this year by the opening of Croydon Town Square, which offers seating and easier access to carparking and nearby Croydon station.
Reader Casey Phoenix said personal service set the strip apart from others in the Maroondah area: “I regularly shop along Main Street in Croydon because all my favourite shops know me and offer great service. There’s a good collection of shops too.”
HEATHMONT VILLAGE
Heathmont’s extensive main strip on Canterbury Road has a “nice village feel”, said reader Helen Lawrence.
Lining both sides of the road, the strip has all the usual services plus excellent cafes, a martial arts studio and clothes shops.
RAILWAY AVENUE, RINGWOOD EAST
“There’s a lovely greengrocer and at the butchers you can use your own containers,” said Fiona Sinclair.
As well as eateries, florists, bakeries and a supermarket, the strip also has a hugely popular toy store, The Coffee Apple, and specialist clothing store, Lelulah Boutique.
WERE STREET, MONTMORENCY
Montmorency’s main street feels more like a country village, with a friendly atmosphere and great cafes as well as essential services. It is also close to schools and the local train station, making it popular among the commuter and parents’ crowds.
OTHERS NOMINATED BY LOCALS INCLUDED:
- Belmore Road, Balwyn
- Ayr Street, Doncaster
- Tunstall Square, Doncaster
- McAdam Square, Croydon Hills
- Kerrimuir Shopping Centre, Blackburn North
NORTHERN SUBURBS
HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE
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 Street had one of the lowest commercial vacancy rates in Melbourne.
Birch and Bear owner Donna Lowe, who has been on the strip for 15 years, told Leader that its unique offerings kept people coming in.
“They can get things here they can’t get anywhere else,” she said.
STATION STREET, FAIRFIELD
This won reader Venessa Breen’s vote for best shopping strip, “where everyone knows your name”.
Olivia Agnew agreed, saying only a playground would make it even better.
WHITTLESEA TOWNSHIP
“I love Whittlesea as it is nice and quiet and not near any major roads,” said reader Danielle Austin. “It still has that feeling of the country part of Whittlesea and other small towns too.”
“Whittlesea township has a good little shopping strip — it has everything you need,” agreed Karen Smith.
SYDNEY ROAD, BRUNSWICK; GERTRUDE AND SMITH STREETS, FITZROY
“Why? Fantastic choice and quality eateries and bars. Retail that is unique, locally designed or made goods. You can take your dogs. An eclectic mix of people. Yes, you pay for parking if you drive, but because density has been allowed driving isn’t an issue,” said reader Lydia Wheeler.
Also top of readers’ minds was Rathdowne Street in Carlton North.
NORTHWESTERN AND WESTERN MELBOURNE
PUCKLE STREET, MOONEE PONDS
This strip has a great sense of community and multiculturalism, said reader Marina Grobisa, while Ivano Cascone agreed that its “nice atmosphere” made it stand out from the rest.
WEST STREET, HADFIELD
“West Street is a great shopping centre,” said reader Peter Jeffs, while Steve Woodhouse thought it was an example of multiculturalism working well.
Zoe Partington said: “Unfortunately Commonwealth Bank closed but I guess people make do. It has everything otherwise and caters for everyone.”
O’SHANNASSY STREET, SUNBURY
“For me it’s the feel I love,” said reader Sharyn Snook. “O’Shannassy Street has great restaurants and cafes, some cute shops … and with the lights on the trees it has a great vibe.”
Other strips to get a nod from readers were:
- Mt Alexander Road, North Essendon
- Napier Street, Strathmore
YARRAVILLE VILLAGE
“(Good shopping strips have) shady trees, good public transport, a variety of retailers. Yarraville Village is my absolute favourite,” said Leader reader Moya Kathryn.
Paige Stokes agreed: “I think Yarraville is a pretty great strip, especially with the road permanently closed to allow for the ‘park’.”
Nearby Seddon Village also rate highly on readers’ list of great shopping strips.
SOUTHERN SUBURBS
HAMPTON STREET, HAMPTON
Described by local traders as the “largest shopping strip in the southern metropolitan region of Melbourne” was a favourite among several Leader readers.
It has more than 320 shops and businesses, including health and financial services, giftware and homewares stores, cafes, clothing and shoe stores and a French patisserie dishing up delicious sweet treats.
FOOT STREET, FRANKSTON
“Foot Street Shops Frankston is our favourite. Why? The people, the trees, the seats, the bike hoops, Curves, the space to linger. The wonderful traders (Sammys and team, etc), Clive busking, the mix on offer and of course The Vibe. Especially on Saturday mornings,” said reader Colleen Johnson.
Other readers agreed, with the strip’s cafes, fruit and veggie shop and even the chemist getting a nod.
STATION STREET AND NEPEAN HIGHWAY, SEAFORD
Jo Cross hailed this strip’s “great diversity of community needs”, including a chemist, newsagent, op shop, clothing stores, hairdresser’s, fish and chips, two tapas bars, cafe, bank and supermarket.
NORMAN AVENUE, FRANKSTON SOUTH
With its “great vibe”, excellent cafe (Mr Frankie), pizza joint (The Pizzeria on Norman) and independent supermarket “that has the best selection of great wine”, reader Kate McCraith said this was Frankston’s best supermarket “every day of the week”.
Also nominated in this region were:
- Carlisle Street, Balaclava
- Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick
- Main Street, Mornington
MORE FUTURE VICTORIA NEWS:
THE CHANGING FACE OF MELBOURNE’S SUBURBS
WHY MILLENNIALS ARE MOVING TO MIDDLE-RING SUBURBS
THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY IN MELBOURNE
HOW COULD SHOPPING STRIPS BE IMPROVED?
Mr McNabb said struggling shopping strips should finetune their business mix — particularly by attracting “destination” businesses to help draw more people.
“Retailing has been very tough particularly in the last few years and it’s sad to see that a number of retail businesses have closed down and so the challenge really is … that you have to continue to offer a fresh and up to date approach,” he said.
Healthcare businesses would also be important as Victoria’s population aged, he said.
“The older people are attracted to strip shopping, they find it very comfortable to go to. To get some of those kind of iconic services to the centre is very important,” he said.
Traders also had to be savvy about online marketing, such as having a good website and social media presence.
Leader readers overwhelmingly called for more free parking, more variety and better safety measures — including police presence — at local shopping strips, as well as better seating areas with shade, greenery, playgrounds and public toilets.
Other suggestions included more family-friendly dining places and live music venues, and even closing some streets to traffic.