The easing of social distancing restrictions from 4sqm to 2spm in shops from Monday is going to make a huge difference to small retailers in the region.
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Thirroul Collective's Sheralee Rae said all businesses will benefit as the Christmas rush begins and hours of trade start being extended.
The news is doubly good for Eleanor Harper and her mum Michelle Troughton at Harper and Rose. They opened their florist in February and unrestricted numbers for weddings and funerals means more business for all florists in the region.
Ms Harper said being part of the collective had certainly helped the business establish itself despite all the challenges during Covid-19.
"Sheralee is so good at supporting small businesses. And with the further easing of restrictions we will be able to start going back to doing more weddings," she said.
It is a skill that runs in the family. Ms Harper's grandmother Geanette Crinnion ran her own florist 40 years ago.
"Which is why mum is also a qualified florist," Ms Harper said.
"In recent years mum and I were asked by family and friends to help with flowers for their weddings. So late last year we thought maybe we can make something out of this. And decided to start Harper and Rose. It has been really nice learning from mum and we work really well as a team together."
Starting just as the Covid-19 came to Australia they have been specialising in dried flowers and everlasting arrangements. And have been running workshops that attract hens parties and Christmas parties. Christmas reef workshops have recently been popular.
Ms Rae said Harper and Rose was one of many businesses impacted by Covid-19 and Freedom Monday couldn't come at a better time.
"It is especially good news if we can have more people in store come Christmas time".
Ms Rae said Christmas shopping seemed to be starting a little later this year but there are signs of that changing.
"Yesterday we were busy. With restrictions we had line ups out the door because we could only allow so many people in their store. Most people have been happy to wait. Locals like shopping here because they know they can come in and get different things."
Generally Thirroul Collective is open from 10am to 3pm but the hours are starting to be extended for Christmas. On Sunday Ms Rae opened at 9am which allowed many locals and visitors to pop in as they stopped nearby at Finbox for a coffee on their way to the beach.
"We will soon be doing 9am to 5pm seven days a week leading up to Christmas," Ms Rae 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.
