Opinion: Your favourite small businesses are on their knees. Support them!

I feel really sad this morning. Like a heavy sadness.

Because every single time I look at my phone, I find a store I have loved and long admired, has shut its doors, *or is about to*.

I was sad to read about Modern Times in Melbourne closing last week (fellow supporters of local artists of 13 years) and today, Montebello Home, a lovely emporium I shot for a mag years ago and a store I had personally purchased from, walking away after 15 years of amazing service to their community. Both brilliant stores.

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A post shared by Modern Times (@moderntimesau)

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A post shared by Montebello Emporium (@montebelloemporium)

The industry as we know it, has honestly changed. Forever. I’ve been around long enough to call it. It’s tough.

We can blame COVID, we can blame natural disasters, we can blame cost of living and interest rates, and a whole myriad of other factors, but how will that help those who invested a good chunk of their lives and bank accounts into the arts — who now no longer have a job /or a shop to turn up to each day? It’s heartbreaking.

FACT. It has never been a harder slog in retail than what we are experiencing right now.

FACT. If you love a local store, you REALLY need to show your support. There are more casualties in the wing, and if you don’t wrap your arms around them as a local community right now, they may not survive.

FACT. If you like nice things, to touch and feel them, to have a place/ sanctuary to visit that makes you feel good? NOW is the time to show your support. Not tomorrow. NOW. Because there may not be a tomorrow.

Many of your very favourite stores are on their knees, friends. And much like a death, you only hear about it when it’s all too late.

I implore you — help your locals today, if you can.

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A post shared by Greenhouse Interiors (@greenhouseinteriors)

Or accept the fact that soon, in your area, you may only have those mass-marketed chain stores in shopping centres to frequent, and boutique strip shopping will be a thing of the past, and that would be really sad.

Make a difference today by liking/sharing/commenting/purchasing or simply telling someone about a local business you love, and know you may have thrown a lifeline at just the right time.

Small business needs you more than ever.

Thanks x JG

PS HAPPY VAL DAY MR G … what a wild roller coaster ride our life is!

This article was first published as a post on the Green House Interiors Instagram account.

Julia Green is the founder of Green House Interiors.