When beauty therapist Jael Aviles opened PBV Beauty & Makeup salon in Wentworth St, Port Kembla 18 months ago the location appealed because of its similarity to Sydney's inner west.
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"I have always wanted to come here," Ms Aviles said.
"I just find it is quirky. It is like Wollongong's version of Newtown.
Now Ms Aviles is excited about Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce staging a Halloween Festival on Saturday because it will bring more people in to see the progress being made in the suburb.
PBV Beauty & Makeup is one of many businesses jumping on board to celebrate Halloween with Illawarra families.
Ms Aviles decorated her shop on the weekend and said Enigma Cafe nearby was already fully into the family friendly spooky theme.
"This is a great chance for me to interact more with the business community and work together to bring more people into the suburb," she said.
Like many shops in the street Ms Aviles is offering specials as well as a discount on their treatment for anyone who takes a photo in front of her feature wall and posts it on social media.
Ms Aviles wears a mask for all treatments so has focused mostly on decorating the salon and having her three children Anaru, 10, Ataahua, 9, and Artian, 7, dress up in theme to greet visitors and go trick or treating along Wentworth St with their aunty who is coming down from Sydney for the occasion.
"It will probably be the safest location for trick or treating this year. To keep it COVID safe everyone is going to be giving treats in packets rather than handing out individual lollies. And there will be plenty for everyone to see in the street. I am telling all my relatives and friends to come to Port Kembla on Saturday morning and bring the kids. It is going to be safe and fun"
Ms Aviles thinks Halloween will be big this year because when she was shopping at ghostery stores for decorations on the weekend many items were already close to being sold out.
"I am really looking forward to this Saturday to see what happens in Wentworth Street," she said.
Children accompanied by an adult are encouraged to visit Wentworth Street from around 10am and first proceed to the Servo where they will be judged for the best IMB Bank Halloween costume competition by councillor Ann Martin and Broken Glass hair salon owner Kevin Crane.
At the Servo there a stilt walking zombie street entertainer and a ghost juggler will perform during the morning.
From there they can trick and treating along Wentworth Street where participating businesses will have plenty of treats to hand out.
Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also helping distribute treats and balloons to identify businesses taking part in what it hopes will become an annual event for the suburb. And Primary schools have been contacted to help spread the word.
The inaugural festival was planned by the chamber after it received a NSW Small Business Month grant of $2000 to help promote businesses in the Port Kembla business district.
Chamber president Tash Miovic said it came at a time when businesses needed some stimulus.
"This grant will allow Port Kembla businesses to invite the community to celebrate Halloween on Saturday morning between 10 am and 12 noon," she said.
Ms Miovic said to keep the event COVID safe event, visitors to Port Kembla are being requested to practice social distancing, wear an approved face mask, no to hugs as a wave is safer and sanitise hands.
Ms Aviles started her business at home and then in some Wollongong and Dapto hair salons before deciding to start her own salon.
She moved to NSW from Western Australian 13 years ago, originally settling in Sydney before moving to Wollongong in 2011.
"We came down to visit some family in the area and just fell in love with it," she said.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
