The Essence of our Merimbula opened in December 2020 as a collective retail store project undertaken by Merimbula Chamber of Commerce. The goal was to help micro businesses and start ups get their products in to a retail shop front, with out the high cost and risk of investing in to their own store.
The store located in the heart of town and currently features six vendors including
Kicky Swim – Childrens Clothing and Swimwear
Beastly Indulgence – Dog Accessories
Eden Ecos – Eco products
As you are Lifestyle – Womens Clothing
Blue Willow Vintage – Upcycled furniture, vintage homewares, furniture paint and accessories.
Kookaburra Art – Resin art by Chris BeresfordThe Chamber took out a 12 month lease on the shop, fitted it out and provided all of the services, and vendors pay their share of the total cost, a small commission on sales and helped staff the shop.
Despite a turbulent year of trade, with Covid lockdowns, the store and the vendors all survived and with 2 vendors taking on extra space when it become available.