There is growing interest in the concept of a Merimbula retail hub for small vendors with a number of interested parties meeting at the proposed site, the former Millers outlet in Market Street, to hear how it would operate.
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Speaking to potential vendors on Monday evening, president of Merimbula Chamber of Commerce Nigel Ayling said the space would accommodate up to 15 small retailers each with a 3m x 3m space along the wall and the window side of the building.
It would be known as The Essence with high quality gifts from local designers that may be handmade or unique to the area, Mr Ayling explained.
"We're looking at running this as a business not a co-operative. It will be fully managed and vendors will need only to manage their stock and provide about eight hours of time a fortnight," Mr Ayling said.
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The chamber will be the leaseholder, promote the hub, provide a full time manager, allow vendors to sell online through the chamber e-commerce website, offer free workshops and admin support, for which vendors would pay $200 a week in rent with power included.
Mr Ayling explained that the Melbourne-based landlord wanted $90,000 a year for the space with a two-year lease arrangement and so vendors needed to be aware that they had to commit to the two-year time frame.
"The chamber is probably in the best financial position it's been in, for the last 20 years. We've got funding relating to the bushfires and seed funding for this project," Mr Ayling said.
"We're looking at this like an incubator, hoping to give small, home-based businesses a start."
Mr Ayling said it would be two to three months before it was fully operational but the aim was to have the hub trading ready for the busy pre-Christmas period.
He said the chamber was "relatively confident" that when travel restrictions due to COVID-19 stopped, domestic travel would return strongly.
Expressions of Interest are open until the end of August with applications being assessed and vendors contacted about their products.
If the chamber receives enough suitable vendors, in September they will move to sign a lease and then commence work on the shop fit soon after.
They hope to be up and running around mid November before the peak holiday period.
