One of the most organic ways for small business owners to get established and connect with customers is through markets.
Louise Formosa from Eumundi Chamber of Commerce said markets were important for homegrown success.
“The markets provide visitors with the opportunity to actually meet local fashion designers, musicians, wood craftsmen and jewellery makers, and there is always that amazing feeling of connection and building of relationships,” she said.
“In today’s world of centralised shopping facilities and mass production lines, it’s the very opposite at the markets as visitors often go home with a story of a market stall owner they met or how the product they purchased was made.
“This adds so much more value to local products.
“Then each visitor tells a friend their story and by doing so, more and more people learn to reconnect with buying locally.”
Ms Formosa said markets provided a unique starting point for small businesses.
“Markets also provide a brilliant opportunity for micro business start-ups as there is relatively lower risk in setting up and renting a market stall compared with renting a retail shop,” she said.
“The markets enable entrepreneurs to test their product, and make improvements, if needed.
“One of the most satisfying things to watch is a micro business start up, grow and eventually step into retail shops in other areas of the Sunshine Coast, or start exporting or manufacturing, which in turn leads to job creation and building a more resilient economy.
“The markets enable people to become self-employed, or downsize, re-start or achieve work/life balances they haven’t been able to do before.”
Ms Formosa said pre-COVID, Eumundi Markets attracted around 1.2 million visitors per year.
It’s one of the most significant tourism attractions on the Sunshine Coast.
The markets, which support 600 micro businesses weekly, also bring significant economic benefit to other aspects of the town, with the market space and car park leased by local not-for-profit organisations.
“With funds raised from market stall fees or parking fees, these associations have been able to improve the market facilities, invest funds into other historical buildings, purchase land, employ people and engage local contractors,” she said.
Visit Buy Local Sunshine Coast.
Your Sunshine Coast Local Market Guide
- Wednesday: Eumundi Markets
- Friday: Currimundi Lake Twilight Market, Nights on Ocean (every second Friday), Marcoola Market, Caloundra Twilight Markets (last Friday of the month).
- Saturday: Eumundi Markets, Marcoola Market, Kawana Waters Artisans & Farmers Markets, Landsborough Market, Pomona Country Markets, Yandina Country Markets.
- Sunday: Mill Street Markets, The Caloundra Street Fair, Arthur Street Country Markets, Cotton Tree Markets, Fishermans Road Market, Maleny Sunday Markets, Noosa Farmers Market, Noosa Marina Markets, Peregian Markets (first and third Sunday), Sunshine Coast Collective Markets (second and fourth Sunday).
Q&A with local business owners Gabby and Scott Fletcher-Ralph
Eumundi Pavilion Markets is a beautiful outdoor shopping area offering an array of boutique shops, a restaurant, barber, locally roasted Clandestino coffee, masseuse, dog groomer and a wellness studio available for hire.
Owners Gabby and Scott Fletcher-Ralph took over this ‘hidden gem’ in June with the focus of creating a space for the local community.
Whether it be a yoga class followed by coffee and shopping, or a special event organised by the on-site management team, everyone is welcome.
Located off 79 Memorial Drive, the space is open Wednesday and Saturday, 8am to 2pm.
What does it mean to you to be a local business?
Having a local business on the Sunshine Coast, especially in Eumundi, is an honour and a dream we’ve always had. Knowing we are playing a part in supporting and creating new opportunities for our locals is what makes it rewarding.
How important is buying local to support Sunshine Coast small businesses?
When you buy local you are supporting local families and our local economy.
We are helping to create jobs and opportunities for our friends and neighbours.
What opportunities do local market spaces give small businesses to be successful?
Many small businesses have struggled during the pandemic and more recently we’ve seen a decline in stallholders. We believe that now is a better time than any to believe in yourself and share your talent with others. At the Pavilion we also offer casual market stalls for creative individuals wanting to showcase their talents to the local community and visitors.
How can the Sunshine Coast ensure they are supporting local businesses this holiday season?
As the holiday season quickly approaches, small businesses are counting on local support more than ever. Whether it’s buying a gift or meeting with friends, please be sure to stop by and support all the wonders our hidden gem has to offer.
Makeup purchase lays the foundation to win
Congratulations to Nicola Thomson, the week one winner of the current Buy Local Win Local campaign.
Having not worn makeup for most of the year due to masks, Ms Thomson re-stocked her makeup kit during the recent sales at Sunshine Plaza.
Hearing about the Buy Local campaign, she entered the competition and won.
A Sunshine Coast resident for 21 years, currently living in the Glass House Mountains, Ms Thomson is organising her street’s annual Christmas party and she said the prize money will be put back into the community.
“I was very excited to learn I had won the prize as I was shopping locally in preparation for the Christmas street party, which I am the host this year,” she said.
“I will be using the money to support my local businesses and trades. It is so important to support local businesses as it creates jobs and provides income in these difficult times.”
Buy local, win local
We’re calling on the Sunshine Coast community to support local businesses by buying from a store with a door or online from a local business.
When you buy local, you are directly supporting local families, jobs and helping our local economy to bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19.
The council is giving four lucky winners $2000 to spend on their chosen products and services in the Sunshine Coast region.
To enter spend $10 in the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, and enter your details and receipt on the Buy Local Sunshine Coast website to go into the draw to win $2000 to spend with local businesses.
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