Several local businesses opened up their goods and services onto the streets of Collie on Saturday, October 27 for Small Business Day.
The Collie Chamber of Commerce and Industries started the event to promote the success of small businesses to the regional economy and especially Collie’s growth.
Eleven businesses participated including, Flowers on Forrest, Sportsfirst, Cheeky Squirrel, Collie Shoeland, Toscas, Taree, Retro Respection, 8 Thai Ladies, Australian Red Cross, Collie Furniture and Bendigo Bank.
Retro Respection partner Joleen Brown said the event was a huge success for them as their sales tripled.
“We just thought it would be a great day to promote small businesses,” she said.
Australian Red Cross volunteer Pam Head said days that support small businesses should be held more often.
“There are so many businesses closing down in Collie and we just wanted to support small businesses,” she said.
Comfort Style Furniture and Bedding Collie salesman Joey Croskery said in a small town you have to support your locals.
“We have to support the town and keep it surviving because in this day and age major corporate businesses are taking over, so it leaves the little man left in the shadows,” he said.
The Collie Chamber of Commerce teamed up with Bendigo Bank to promote the event and provided sponsorship to print some stickers and posters marketing the event, which were printed locally by Collie Sign FX.
They also held a demystifying banks and accounting software event with RSM and Bendigo Bank on Thursday, October 25 leading up to the event on the Victoria Hotel Balcony.
