![As of May 31 the Kiama Chatterbox Market has permanently closed, as has the Nowra retail outlet. Thirroul and Miranda outlets will both close in the coming weeks. Picture by Sylvia Liber. As of May 31 the Kiama Chatterbox Market has permanently closed, as has the Nowra retail outlet. Thirroul and Miranda outlets will both close in the coming weeks. Picture by Sylvia Liber.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/7d7abb20-da4f-4e1d-8b7e-b6bf203c9275.jpg/r0_0_5342_3561_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Dozens of Illawarra micro-business owners are in shock and out-of-pocket with the sudden closure of Chatterbox Kiama and Nowra, with plans to close its other locations in Thirroul and Miranda in June.
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The owner of the artisan and gift outlets Natasha Cuevas said the business, had been struggling since Christmas due to a reduction in sub-leases by artisans combined with a dive in in-store trade.
Plans to sell the Kiama and Nowra stores to fill the financial hole fell through two weeks ago sparking the downward spiral of events, according to Ms Cuevas.
The whole climate has completely changed and a lot of families are struggling to buy groceries, they certainly aren't thinking about buying a new artwork for their wall.
- Natasha Cuevas
![Chatterbox owner Natasha Curevas says she is devastated to close her stores when so many small business owners 'rely' on her. Picture by Adam McLean. Chatterbox owner Natasha Curevas says she is devastated to close her stores when so many small business owners 'rely' on her. Picture by Adam McLean.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/4bb756b5-2e34-40d5-89c7-ba5ebacc4c68.jpg/r0_110_4955_3303_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"The whole climate has completely changed and a lot of families are struggling to buy groceries, they certainly aren't thinking about buying a new artwork for their wall or a new outfit because they're just having to make ends meet and keep up with ongoing price hikes," Ms Cuevas said.
"One of the things that was really damaging for us was the recent interest rate hike which was announced just before Mother's Day. Mother's Day is nearly like a second Christmas, but the sales just weren't there and the sales the following week were terrible. If the cash flow is not there, then you're constantly trying to chase the ball."
![All remaining stock will move to Chatterbox Thirroul in a 'closing down' sale to decrease the business' debt. Picture by Robert Peet. All remaining stock will move to Chatterbox Thirroul in a 'closing down' sale to decrease the business' debt. Picture by Robert Peet.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/d9379c36-552e-4938-ae59-eb4bd0d9471f.jpg/r0_0_5472_3648_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Currently there is a freeze on payments owed to the 70 micro-businesses who sub-lease a space in each of the five retail locations - which also include Thirroul, Miranda and Broadway. However all employees have apparently been paid up to date.
Broadway is the only location expected to remain open in a similar format, with Ms Cuevas currently in negotiations to sell that outlet.
![A warehouse run by Chatterbox in Unanderra will also close in June. It comes after Bulli homewares store 55 Parrots announced their sudden closure also due to the economic climate. Picture by Adam McLean. A warehouse run by Chatterbox in Unanderra will also close in June. It comes after Bulli homewares store 55 Parrots announced their sudden closure also due to the economic climate. Picture by Adam McLean.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/b68a4a9b-b270-4830-9814-d7a31916fffb.jpg/r0_12_5472_3648_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Jewellery creator Belinda Margetts of Marbelle Design said on social media the news was sudden and came as a shock.
"There are many small businesses who rented space in the store in shock trying to navigate what this now means for them," she said.
![Chatterbox Boutique Markets provided a permanent space for micro-businesses to sell their wares as opposed to taking traditional market stalls at weekends. Picture by Robert Peet. Chatterbox Boutique Markets provided a permanent space for micro-businesses to sell their wares as opposed to taking traditional market stalls at weekends. Picture by Robert Peet.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/cb3a1132-97b7-47ce-8d41-d3b4840bd52e.jpg/r0_122_5472_3502_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
All remaining stock will move to the Thirroul Plaza outlet for a final "closing down sale" to try and reduce the businesses' debt, while Ms Cuevas has vowed to pay all of her stall holders what is owed.
"I'm not supporting big clients ... I'm supporting families, I'm supporting mums and dads," Ms Cuevas said.
"I could just jump in the car and go to Brisbane ... but I'm not, I'm staying and I'm fulfilling my obligations and even if it takes me a couple of months to be able to fulfil those obligations, I'm determined to do so."
Meanwhile, the recent opening of the Rose Lane cafe in Wollongong Central shopping centre will go unaffected as the business was opened by Paul Rose in collaboration with Ms Cuevas and the Chatterbox Market.
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