Local Mullumbimby businesses say they have been facing a challenging time and are encouraging locals and visitors to shop local.
A mix of rent increases, road closures, and a challenging current economic market is which has seen an increase in the cost of living and fuel prices is having a significant impact on local shops.
Sally Green who has been running KIN Collective in Mullumbimby says that she can’t keep going and will be closing in June with a final two week art exhibition in her shop space as a final goodbye.
‘I think the camel that broke the straw that broke the camel’s back was the Byron Shire Council closing the road into town before Christmas,’ Sally told The Echo.
‘We managed to survive Covid and a flood but the Byron Shire Council was the one we couldn’t survive. The impact of the road closure was massive, as that was the time of year that many local shops make the money they need to see them through leaner times.
‘I know several businesses who are holding on by a thread.’
With the upcoming closure of Bridglands Betta Electrical many local businesses have highlighted the importance of what it is that makes Mullumbimby such a vibrant and important town.
‘It is the individuality of the businesses in Mullumbimby that make the town thrive,’ said Stephanie Davies from Silver Lining.
‘If we lose that, we are risk of ending up with just generic shops and losing the unique character of our town. The reason we all live here and make lives here is very connected to the character of our town and an important part of that is shopping local and supporting local businesses.’
Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and Community member Jenelle Stanford told The Echo that they are right behind shopping local and ‘we encourage all businesses to join the MCCC so that we can be a stronger voice and work together to keep our town and businesses strong and vibrant.’
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