Community ties bind neighbourhoods amid coronavirus restrictions

Social-distancing laws mean people are more likely to go to businesses they know and trust.

Diversifying: business partners Nesbert Kagonda and Ruby Clark from Tanaka in inner-north Carlton in Melbourne. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Business for Nesbert Kagonda and Ruby Clark has improved since the coronavirus outbreak triggered stage three social restrictions, wiping out profit margins and jobs as Melburnians bunkered down in self-isolation.

The co-owners of Tanaka in the suburb of Carlton in the inner north said their success was grounded in their community ties.

As well as coffee and toasties, Mr Kagonda, 28, and Ruby Clark, 25 are selling ready-made vegie boxes including locally grown ­produce as well as meat from Mr ­Kagonda’s parents’ farm in the Gippsland.

“We wanted to do the whole farm-to-table experience but when the crisis struck, we decided to try and bring that story to ­people,” Mr Kagonda said.

“Our sales have slightly increased … [but] it’s still pretty scary whether they’ll stay on that trajectory or drop off.”

A Melbourne City Council survey released on Thursday revealed almost 1400, or 55 per cent, of food businesses in the CBD were shut because of the coronavirus compared with 47 per cent in inner suburbs such as Carlton and North Melbourne.

Neither Mr Kagonda nor Ms Clark were surprised by the survey results as social-distancing laws meant people were bound to their neighbourhoods and more likely to go to businesses they knew and trusted.

“A lot of people only have a few interactions a day, and we’re one of them, which is really special,” said Ms Clark.

A sign advertising the home delivery of North African meatballs with pasta and parmesan is placed on the window of Tanaka, which is transitioning from the old name Bloom Coffee Bar.

Inside, a coffee machine peaks out from behind boxes of pomegranates and avocados stacked on white plastic containers containing dry goods such as flour and ­almond meal.

Mr Kagonda said they started selling fresh fruits and vegetables when widespread stockpiling saw the shelves at supermarket chains Woolworths and Coles stripped bare by panic buyers.

“Because we all know each other in the neighbourhood, there wouldn’t be any panic buying, no one came in and bought all the tomatoes,” he said.

“I think it has actually brought us together.”