KERANG’S shopping district is starting to spring back to life after a long winter of coronavirus restrictions.
In the last fortnight two new businesses have opened up, one shop has relocated and the Kerang Traders have launched a brand new Kerang gift card, as the town looks to re-emerge from the crushing economic impact of lockdowns.
The Kerang “shop local” gift card, which will soon be available, is an initiative of the Kerang Traders Association aimed at generating support for local businesses.
“Exciting things are happening in Kerang retail now,” Traders Association vice-president Bec Hewitt said.
“It’s great to see a bookshop, a new florist and the introduction of the Kerang gift cards.”
Amanda Day opened the doors of her Little Blue Book Shop in Wellington St last Monday and was very pleased with sales in the first week.
On Friday she was down to her last copy of crime writer Jane Harper’s latest work, The Survivors.
“I sold five or six copies. I’ve already had to put in another order,” she said.
Ms Day said the business had been warmly embraced with strong sales of books and toys.
“The feedback I’ve got has been really fantastic. There’s been lots of support,” she said.
In Victoria St, Ms Hewitt, who owns the The Little Shoe Shop, is settling in to refurbished premises a few doors from The Tailored Peach.
“I just felt it would be complementary having fashion next to fashion,” she said.
“So far it’s been absolutely amazing, people are loving the fresh look.”
At the shoe shop’s former home on Scoresby St, Lanie Dowsett and partner Thomas Barnes were putting the finishing touches on the interior of their new florist shop on Friday.
Ms Dowsett, originally from Rochester, moved to Kerang 12 months ago and was working for Francis Florist in Swan Hill before deciding to start her own business.
Lanie’s Flowers will be “different, really different,” Ms Dowsett said.
“The way I do it you can come in and pick a box, pick a vase and pick the flowers you like,” she said.
“Basically it’s like a lolly shop.”
The business will source a lot of locally-grown native flowers and will also sell ready-made bouquets and more affordable bunches.
It had already received orders before officially opening on Saturday, when Ms Dowsett nearly sold out of native blooms.
“It’s going really, really well, it’s been overwhelming,” she said.
The couple plan to also sell helium balloons and party supplies once events start to pick up again.
