With Covid-19 restrictions, many local businesses have had to close their doors. Without community support, lots of our cherished retailers and restaurants are struggling to reopen again, after what seems like an eternity in lockdown here in Melbourne. 

Fortunately, Brunswick has always been a suburb with a strong and proud community. People who live in the area have an ethos of buying local produce and favouring small stores over big chain supermarkets. Many residents are creatives and artisans who rely on the sale of their products to the local community. All retail stores in Melbourne have been shut for many months now, restricted to the online. With only supermarkets or stores selling essential items being allowed to stay open, this means a troubling time for most small neighbourhood businesses. 

One local restaurant, Rascal, found itself with declining patrons and were unable to continue as a dining-in space. They decided to quickly transform their Sydney Road frontage to stay open, adapting to serve at-home meals and sell an expansive range of alcohol as a bottle-o store. But they didn’t stop there…. They have also been a lifeline in helping other local businesses through their initiative Support Local Support Brunswick. 

I spoke to the team about their transition through a pandemic, and how the community spirit is helping not just them, but many other businesses survive this difficult time.

Tell us about your Support Local Support Brunswick initiative at Rascal.

Opening last year, we launched as a wine bar that had some critical acclaim. Since opening, we’ve made a real effort to make sure we appeal to locals, support local brands, and champion Brunswick culture. 

Since Covid-19 hit, we pivoted into a bottle-o and alcohol sales did not seem to be hugely hit, but we saw other retailers really affected. We had some additional space (normally allocated for dinners to our restaurant), which we thought to re-appropriate as mini “shops” for retailers. The idea was that they could put their wares and we would sell it on their behalf with them keeping all the profits.

Our Support Local Support Brunswick store provides free retail space and promotion to Brunswick businesses whose trade was adversely affected by Covid-19.

The model has been really successful all round - featured retailers benefited from extra exposure, promotions and sales. Locals benefitted from having one location to shop at and buy their favourite products and we, as a business, benefitted from developing strong relationships with local retailers, and it didn’t cost anything for anyone! We started with 4-5 brands, which has now grown to 8-9.

Tell us the story behind the Support Local Support Brunswick Tees.

Based on the back of the success of the Support Local Support Brunswick store – we wondered how we could do more to support those in the community, particularly those hit hardest  by lockdown and those from culturally or linguistically diverse and low socio-economic backgrounds. We identified the Brunswick Neighbourhood House as a worthy charity, who provide education, training, recreational activities, support and services to the community. Working with our artist friend, Seb Godrey, we designed a t-shirt that allowed buyers to spread the ‘support local’ message, whilst also raising funds for a key community service helping those who find themselves especially isolated during this time.

The money raised from T-Shirt sales goes to the community run project that had to close face-to-face delivery of their courses, and move subjects online. They were able to subsidise the course fee and organise a laptop borrowing service to facilitate participation of individuals with no computer access at home. This has enabled opportunities to a huge number of local people, who might never have had the chance otherwise. 

What has the response been like from the community? 

 Rascal has received significant support from the local community with our at-home diners, bottle-o, and SLSB store. When factoring in local distillers and suppliers it means that locals can support 20+ Brunswick businesses in one spot!

We have sold over $5,000+ in retailers’ products on their behalf and raised their local profile through our socials, website listing and media campaigns.We are sitting at around 400+ T-Shirts sold, which has raised over $4k for Brunswick Neighbourhood House to help deliver programs to the community at need.

The approach from Rascal, of adjusting their business model, staying strong and overcoming the challenge faced is admirable. To be able to assist other local businesses along the way really demonstrates the spirit and connectivity of the neighbourhood and will hopefully encourage all of us to support local for many years to come.

Support Local and Support Rascal - https://www.rascalbrunswick.com/ 

Words by Melbourne captain Netta Justice
Images by John Benedict Ryan