Glenferrie Retailers Response to COVID-19
At midday on Monday 23 March, temporary business restrictions came into effect across the country, closing all non-essential indoor venues and limiting food service to combat the spread of COVID-19. Pubs, clubs, gyms, cinemas, and religious gatherings were forced to shut while cafes and restaurants became restricted to service takeaway and delivery orders only. Businesses which remain open have been advised to implement social distancing with a general rule to remain 1.5 metres away from others at all times.
Glenferrie Hawthorn shopping precinct has been significantly impacted by the government-issued orders, with some of our local businesses being forced or choosing to close their doors while others adapt to new customer service styles. The Lido Cinemas and Glenferrie Hotel have been forced to close, while businesses such as Le Clec, Chapel, and Triple Taste have decided to close for the immediate future. Council buildings, including the Hawthorn Aquatics and Leisure Centre, Hawthorn Library, and Hawthorn Arts Centre have been closed since 18 March. Church services have been suspended, including gatherings at Hawthorn's Catholic Parish Immaculate Conception Church and St Columb's Anglican Church Hawthorn.
Following new regulations which restrict customer capacity to one person per four square metres, smaller stores like Homing Instincts and Glenferrie Gourmet Meats are restricting number of patrons in store. At times there has been a queue outside of Mindgames, one out and another in. Many of our local businesses, such as Bakers Delight, Chatime, and Guzman y Gomez, have used tape to guide social distancing in-store. The Continental Deli, with their fresh sandwich deli bar, have used traffic cones in the Glenferrie Centre arcade to guide queuing customers to remain safe distances from each other and staff-members. Woolworths is urging shoppers to remain a trolley-length apart at all times.
Many stores have also reduced their opening hours each day to reduce the amount of contact between staff and the public, such as A La Plage, Readings, Woolworths, Alter It, and the Red Cross Op Shop. Cafe Blac has started operating a coffee cart at the Terry White Chemmart Pharmacy selling hot beverages, baked goods, and meals while many other cafes have adapted to an express coffee model at their shopfronts. Vaporetto is offering cooked pasta by the kilo, the Kilburn Hotel is offering a takeaway alcohol menu, and Small Patch Wine Store is offering free local delivery on orders of over six bottles.
Rococo is closed to customers, transferring completely to food delivery services. Some restaurants, such as Bay City Burrito and Cafe Lagenda, are promoting takeaway discount deals. El Churro Cafe is offering a 50% discounts on churros and coffee for medical and healthcare workers, and McDonalds is also offering free coffee to medical staff.
The current health crisis and risk of COVID-19 has made this a particularly difficult time for traders and customers alike. Government and health authorities are urging people to stay indoors unless necessary. If you are venturing out in the local area during this time, please remember to shop local and support our Glenferrie businesses.
