Owner of Sunfox clothing store Joy Balhorn said moving to a bigger store in the midst of COVID-19 struggles has been a real game changer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Balhorn said there has been an increase in customers since moving to the corner of The Plaza on Market Street in Merimbula, where Fatman and the Goddess used to be.
She also said she had noticed more people stopping to look at the window displays than before.
"Well, it's already helped so much that people are actually looking through the window, whereas before people used to walk or drive past it," she said.
Ms Balhorn said she felt people venture less often down the little alleyways in Merimbula.
"I think a lot of people just stick to that main street," she said.
"When I was in the old Sunfox, I'd been there for a year or more and people would still say, 'Oh, I didn't even know you were here'."
Ms Balhorn said she found the support from the local community has really kept her afloat during and post lockdowns, with loyal customers continuing to purchase online when the store was closed and then returning when it re-opened.
"There was lots of support from the local community with the re-opening, my regulars would come in and be really happy for me and encouraged me, so it was really nice to have that support," Ms Balhorn said.
"Every single day I get many people coming in to seeing what a fantastic job we've done, how it's just so great and just positive feedback."
Over the last two years Sunfox was located within The Arcade between Market St and Alice Street.
Since moving Ms Balhorn said she's thoroughly enjoyed having the space to put more of her products on display.
"I can showcase the stock a lot better, so it's not all just squashed in, so people can see what we have," she said.
Ms Balhorn said she was happy to be able to bring in new products as well.
"We can add some different brands in as well because we can fit them which is really good, we've added a boys range and more," she said.
Ms Balhorn said she felt well supported and encouraged by the landowners of the Arcade, in making the move from the smaller store to the one on the corner.
"My landlords were great. they really encouraged me and gave me some incentive to move over," she said.
"They were pretty keen to fill that corner space, because it's the entrance to that shopping area. I think because I have a similar business, selling men's and women's clothes, it was just a good fit."
Ms Balhorn said she also felt supported by previous owner of Fatman and the Goddess, who ran the shop over many years.
"Simon, who owns Fatman and the Goddess, actually told me that they were moving out before most people knew and said this would be a great opportunity for me so they were really supportive which was really nice," she said.
Ms Balhorn said she felt thankful for their support, especially since she had always loved their store.
"They were really inspiring to me and I hope I can be good for the town, as good they were, because they had a lot of loyal customers," she said.
Ms Balhorn said she welcomed people to come have a gander at her products which include local brands and sustainable products.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
Bookmark www.begadistrictnews.com.au
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
Follow us on Twitter: @Bega_News
Follow us on Instagram: @begadistrictnews
Follow us on Google News