When radio host Bianca Dye heard the half-century-old Capers Costumes was closing down recently she contacted About Town to say what a sad loss it would be.
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That message resulted in a front page story in the Illawarra Mercury and Elen Chapman and her staff have been run off their feet with many people calling in to purchase their favourite costume.
Ms Dye was upset about the store closing because along with entertainer Scott Radburn she was one of its biggest customers.
Capers has helped dress each of them for many events and both have had a rack of clothes put aside to keep because they have become so attached to the characters and the business.
"It is so sad to see it close," Ms Dye said.
"They have served this community for the last 50 years."
Mr Radburn agreed.
Not only has he hired outfits for shows he performs around Australia but has used them for much of his community work.
The clearance sale continues this week.
The doors close at the end of the month, and what is not sold from the collection of 5000 outfits will then be taken to local markets.
Financial advice
Yellow Brick Road Wealth Management is opening its first location in the Illawarra with a new branch at 139 Keira Street, Wollongong.
Yellow Brick Road is a full service financial services firm founded by Australian businessman Mark Bouris.
The core mission of the company is to provide expert financial advice to every-day Australians. The local advisers own their own businesses and live and work in the community.
Yellow Brick Road Wollongong is headed by principal Justin Bailey, a long time Wollongong resident.
The new Wollongong branch has its own page at online.ybr.com.au/Branches/Wollongong with more details.
SSFS expands
State Super Financial Services (SSFS) has launched a client hub in Wollongong.
The client hub provides a face-to-face service and flexible access to clients with extended hours of business and access to telephone-based advice.
Directory launch
Illawarra Information, Communication and Technology cluster ICT Illawarra (ICT) is launching a new directory and website this Thursday night.
From 5.30pm in the University of Wollongong Smart Foyer ICTI members and guests will also hear from Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) chief executive Suzanne Campbell.
Registrations and information at icti.org.au/events/item/316-https-aiia-networking-eventbrite-com-au.
Dining innovators
They are known globally as Mr and Mrs Wollongong McDonald's, and Glenn and Katia Dwarte showed how they continued to lead from the front again this week.
During a launch at Fairy Meadow on Monday it was revealed that their decision to be the first in the world to introduce fine dining and table service in a McDonald's restaurant at Warilla two years ago inspired another new table service option, the Create Your Taste kiosk ordering and table service system.
Degustation offer
The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant's first experimental kitchen is being held on Friday April 24.
It will take the form of an 11-course degustation experience with matching wines.
Event founders Andrew Harrison and Jonni Nicolaou said it would be an interactive, sensory dining experience and was a collaboration between Shane Debnam and Lagoon Seafood Restaurant head chef Emmanuel Efstathiadis.
The first experimental dinner has been limited to 80 people to keep the feel intimate.
Disability forum
JCI Illawarra is hosting a new initiative called the Ponder Box on April 30 in Building 20 with a forum on disability and mental health at the University of Wollongong from 5.45pm. The Ponder Box is an opportunity for everyone in the community to share their opinions in a mediated unbiased discussion.
Ride a success
The second annual Ride 4 Rotary Community Challenge Bike Ride at Unanderra Velodrome at the weekend raised more than $10,000 for Youth at Risk in the Illawarra and the work of Southern Youth and Family Services. The event attracted more than 40 riders.
The next Ride 4 Rotary is planned for April 2016.
Fundraising dinner
Cristina's House of Hope is planning another major fundraiser on May 2 when it hosts its annual Red and White Dinner at the Lagoon Seafood Restaurant.
The guest speaker is Paula Luethen from Bestlife for Children, and the theme of the night is innocence, courage, strength and hope.
Mrs Luethen said the night was all about offering care, hope and compassion to survivors across a global community.
Tickets can be ordered at info@cristinashouseofhope
.com.au or on 4284 0656.
THE DIARY
April 22 - South Coast Women in Building and Construction networking forum.
- iAccelerate Entrepreneurial Women's Breakfast with Larissa Robertson.
- Little Leonardo's Art Studio after school art classes resume following the completion of it's holiday program. Adult classes are also available.
April 23 - Centenary of Anzac luncheon.
- NBN Co hosts a business breakfast in the Winners Room at WIN Stadium, with keynote speaker ICT innovation consultant Geof Heydon.
April 24 - The Lagoon Seafood Restaurant's first Experimental Kitchen 11-course degustation dinner in the Moonlight Room.
April 28 - St Mary Star of The Sea College Women in Careers Expo.
April 30 - JCI Illawarra Ponder Box on disability and mental health in Building 20 at the University of Wollongong.
May 1 - IWIB Business Women's Awards Day 2015.
- Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture from 5.30pm in Building 43 at UOW. The late Allan Sefton was well known for his work as a naturalist and conservator. Guest speaker is Professor Bruce Thom, member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and Honorary Professorial Fellow in the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences at UOW. His talk will be on healthy environments and productive economy as a challenge for the future of Australia. Details at http://smah.uow.edu.au/sees/index.html.
