WHEN Bec Wheatley and her shop neighbour Julie Grant were forced to close their vintage boutique doors in Beaumont Street amid the coronavirus threat, they were devastated.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
"I had just opened [in November], I was still building my customer base and getting the word out there, it was rather unfortunate timing," says Ms Grant, owner of I Am Billie Boots. "There was a mood of uncertainty and then anxiety because we lacked information. Then acceptance settled in as we gathered details. Then it was, "OK, what can we do to get creative and adapt.The turnaround in mood was quick."
Ms Grant, who has a fine arts degree and visual merchandising qualifications and previously worked at Myer, stocks an eclectic range of preloved and vintage clothing and is passionate about quality, fabrics and unique styles in all sizes.
Ms Wheatley, who opened The Retro Wardrobe five years ago and had her best February of sales before the crisis, is passionate about sustainability and retails clothes "with a twist" from the 60s to modern day.
The two friends moved swiftly to activate their shop windows to encourage community interaction.
Pushing her mannequins aside, Ms Grant set up a table and sewing machine near the window, allowing her to alter or do minor repairs on garments before putting them on the rack.
"Because all the businesses were shutting, it looked dead. We wanted to show we were still there, still functioning and there was still life still around," she said.
She quickly took to giving customers and strangers a wave: "You would see some people were just so happy to see someone," she says.
Ms Grant has ramped up her efforts to showcase her range on social media - "It's been a great tool, not just in terms of sales but to engage with customers and show them we are her and passionate about reopening" - and open by appointment.
Ms Wheatley has been using her shop window for social media photography and to connect with passersby.
"I have just redone my windows as I'm thinking it's not going to be too long before we open again, and I've rearranged the store to create wider walkways, which will be important when people can return," she says.
She has been working constantly during the lockdown, either in her shop window or on social media, where she continues to sell her clothes and stream events - from unpacking stock to showing her personal vintage collection - to connect with customers.
"I don't have a website, I have just been selling on Facebook and Instagram," she says, adding that while sales have slumped, she is touched by the support she is getting online.
The friends, who have both applied for JobKeeper assistance say Hamilton's community has given them hope moving forward.
"I really feel it and I hope that it will be the way we can continue to function in getting that support once we reopen," says Ms Wheatley.
For now, they will window hover - "I miss the conversations and brief connections we have with our customers!" says Ms Wheatley - and try and source stock, not easy when avenues such as markets and garage sales are off-limits.
"I buy a season ahead so sourcing for spring/summer this year will prove very challenging," says Ms Grant.
