Every time you shop locally in Canungra, you help your local community.
That is the word from business owners who pour their hearts and souls into creating unique local experiences, giving back to the community and employing locals.
The tight knit business community, anchored by a proactive Canungra Chamber of Commerce, are united around their commitment to providing a welcoming and worthwhile shopping experience.
Thankful for support
The Canungra Times caught up with several local traders, who said they were grateful for the support of their loyal customers at Christmas time and year-round.
Michelle Roper-Dennis, who owns My Country Escape, turns her shop into a Christmas wonderland at this time of the year.
It is a delight to walk through the beautifully curated shop display, made all the more magical when you select something special to purchase for yourself or someone else.
“People can come in and go ‘ooh, ahh, this is great’ but if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. It costs us a lot of money to make it all look pretty and give good service but if people don’t support us, it won’t have longevity,” Michelle said.
Looking after each other
Michelle and fellow business owners Nora Jones, of The Shoe Vault and Martin Hogan, of Café Metz, said they were fortunate to have both locals and visitors as regular customers.
“I feel like our locals really look after us and we try to look after them,” Michelle said.
“We try to give money and gifts away locally when there are community fundraising initiatives. We try to always say yes, but that’s where we need our locals to support us in kind, and that their support enables us to do good in the community.”
Martin, who employs up to 25 staff at his busy café, said the connections were strong.
“There are locals who come in every day for their coffees, and we know them off by heart,” he said.
“Every little bit helps, they’ll grab a coffee, walk down the street and do some shopping and maybe come back for lunch or go to one of the other places to eat.”
Nora said it was not only their livelihood, but also their way of life and helped provide local opportunities for others.
“When your staff are local too, if people shop local it helps employ local and what goes around comes around, basically,” she said.
Keeping it local
Michelle said it was about more than employment.
“Even though we’re business, our businesses are our family, and we try to look after our staff like we would look after our own family,” she said.
“When people shop locally it’s actually quite personal.”
She said keeping it local was also a way to take the stress out of shopping.
“People can drive down the coast and to the big shopping centres and spend hours there, then come back through, stop in Canungra and find everything they want in 10 minutes.
“We offer all the old-fashioned stuff – customer service, friendly, helpful and never impersonal. When you shop in Canungra, it is an experience.”
