One of the most frustrating things about living in a small rural community is the closure of a business that you patronise and rely on.
Because your alternative choice is nil. Small communities can rarely support competition.
Even the banks pack up and move out en masse. Including the last one, who you think might stay because there’s no competition.
I’ve lived in my rural village of Ilford NSW for 17 years and have seen more local businesses close down than new businesses open.
The closures are rarely because of lack of trade.
They are more likely to be centred around family issues.
Declining health.
Marriage breakups.
Women who have lost their alternative care for their young children.
Women whose husbands no longer support their endeavour.
Men whose businesses have grown to the stage where it’s 24/7, can find no qualified local staff to work in the business with them; and are forced to face a business-versus-family life showdown at home.
And so it was with alarm that I found my local general store, Lavender Lane, with empty shop windows when I stop by to purchase a pair of winter gloves.
It’s important to get in first with gloves – and early, before the colour choice disappears.
Inwardly I am grieving.
I rely on Lavender Lane for my stylish work boots that allow me to easily walk up and down the hills of my property. While not looking like a lumberjack!
For my wardrobe of fingered and finger less gloves. Finger less gloves now being my gloves of choice because I can open wallets and bags and put on lipstick without having to take them off while shopping.
My all weather coats. Although that’s a laugh as we’ve been in drought for 14 years. But I live in hope that my morning walks with the dogs will herald a drop of rain here and there.
My hats that everyone loves.
My fabrics and haberdashery items when designing and making prototypes for new products for my business, Simple Solutions For Difficult Problems.
My ribbons that tie my swish and fragrant Sweet Shoos.
And the opportunity to walk in and just have a social chat with Debbie Murphy, the owner.
For many years now, a significant number of my customers have rung to say how pleased they are to know I’m still in business.
Because.
Their Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover has finally worn out after many years of use and they are hoping they don’t hear the ‘This number is not connected. Please check the number and try again.’ mechanical voice that greets us when a business has closed down.
Now I know how they feel.
Deserted.
I inwardly believe there’s an onus on a business owner to keep going, even when hitting roadblocks and brick walls.
Why don’t they try harder? I ask.
Selfish, isn’t it?
I often wonder if I’m the only one who misses them. Rural communities are notorious for making their major shopping purchases at the nearest regional centre.
In my case, that’s either Mudgee or Bathurst.
What about me, I lament?
Two weeks later I notice a familiar sight.
Racks of clothes billowing in the breeze outside a different shop.
Same clothes, different location.
To say I bring the car to a screeching halt is probably gilding the lily. But I do stop abruptly.
I go inside to discover my favourite general store is back in business in an albeit different location and in a scaled down version.
Cocooned within the walls of Debbie’s husband’s business.
Although I live in a small community, I’m not privy to local gossip. Because I don’t indulge.
So I didn’t know that her husband, Bob, is waging a full scale battle with bacterial pneumonia.
And Debbie had to make a choice.
Give up her business.
Or combine her business with his business and run both from the same location.
Because Bob is too under the weather to run his business for the time being.
So I have a happy ending.
Debbie did try hard enough.
And came up with a brilliant solution.
Because so many people within the town told her they wanted her to stay open.
I’m pleased to know that there are sufficient numbers of us who rely on her. Which selfishly means she’s virtually forced to keep her doors open. Regardless.
This Guerrilla From The Bush knows that there are times when there are simply not enough fish in the sea.
Take care,
Carol
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Carol,
This is quite disturbing. We in the city have such a huge range of choices of stores for any product at all. We take the choice for granted.
From this proprietor’s point of view, I feel desperation as well as sadness. The scene must be a fairly slow one as far as business traffic goes, unless the tourist bus pulls up.
Healthwise, I know the only sure certainty is to support the Immune system fully before the COLD and FLU season starts, and that is in March;…. a complete necessity at the first signs of illnes.
There is sooo much we can do to help ourselves; like giving the toothbrush a soak in a good mouthwash, or a dip in diluted hydrogen peroxide, to avoid recontamination.
I’d be looking at every which way to try to avoid such dilemmas in rural life. It’s just too hard, and plain unfair,
Beverley
BEVERLEY,
Thank you. I can feel your concern in your comment. Bob will get better and Debbie will find a way to make her business work in the meantime.
Take care,
Carol
CAROL,
I believe and hope she will. They need you as much as you want them.
I can appreciate both sides of the coin here. My Terry and I owned a general store in Cromer Heights NSW for 8 years from 1989. It was a mixed business, convenience store/sub newsagency (but not including our favourite drapery items Carol.) However we were privileged to know and to serve the whole community here. It was like being each other’s lifelines aswell as pleasurable aquaintences.
But it was worrying to say the least, when Terry was also laid low on his back for over a month with Pneumonia, without even the energy to utter a sound. Somehow I managed. But I looked for all the precautions ever after, to prevent it happening again. I still do.
I appreciate solutions to difficult problems.
I also admire Debbie for her ingenuity and I wish Bob a fast and full recovery; and especially I’m glad Carol, that you still may find your favourite things right there at your fingertips.
BEVERLEY
BEVERLEY,
As sure as death and taxes, we find solutions when we want to keep moving forward. Your regards to Debbie and Bob are appreciated and I’ll pass them on.
Take care,
CAROL