Lockdown Pushes Small Businesses Towards Big Ideas
Mould Cheese Collective box
Words by Megan Sahli
Brought to you by Local Peoples.
Australia, we can all agree that it’s been a rough year. The coronavirus has hammered communities and caused unprecedented hardships. But bubbling away is the bravery of these communities and the innovation of small business owners to stay afloat. What matters is that we continue to support these businesses and have a little fun while doing so.
Mould Cheese Collective
Did someone say, cheese? It was with much regret that Mould Cheese Collective co-founder Dan Sims (also of Pinot Palooza) announced the postponement of the 2020 festival calendar. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still rally to support our Aussie dairy makers, growers and farmers. For the dairy lovers out there, you can now subscribe to the Mould Cheese Collective, a cheese club connecting you to artisan dairy producers around Australia. Subscribers receive a monthly box of curated cheese products knowing that they are supporting struggling small businesses.
Smith & Daughters At Home
One of Melbourne’s most iconic vegan eateries Smith & Daughters has diversified its offerings facing the city’s second lockdown. Owner and award-winning chef Shannon Martinez has developed Smith & Daughters At Home. On offer is a banquet for two with drinks also available for pick up and delivery on Friday and Saturday. Smith & Daughters prepares the food and you finish it off with a rapid reheat. Orders open at 12pm every Monday and close at 12pm on Wednesday. If you’re feeding a family, Martinez has added Smith & Pizza to the roster. Pre-order from midday Sunday and midday Monday (or until sold out) for Monday night pick up at Smith & Daughters on Brunswick Street.
smithanddaughters.com/smith-home-1
Little Andorra
Carlton North wine bar Little Andorra has also been creative with its COVID offerings. A Nicholson Street favourite, Little Andorra updates its menu almost daily. Instagram is a great way to find out exactly what’s for dinner, but guests can also access daily offerings and delivery times via Mr Yum. Order a bottle of wine (or three) and a pasta for two that you cook yourself. Throw in chicken liver parfait and it’s neighbourhood comfort at home. During stage four restrictions, order online for delivery only from Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm until 7:30pm.
Goodies from Positive Parcels
A curated box from Mould Cheese Collective
Post Office Hotel
The pub with no beer. During Melbourne’s second lockdown, Coburg’s Post Office Hotel is selling Karma Litres to help reduce keg wastage at the 120-seater venue. Punters are welcome to bring their own vessel to fill with what’s available on tap. The kicker, you say? The Post Office is charging ‘how you feel’ prices. So, if you’re feeling flush then pay a little more but if you’re on struggle street then no worries, pay what you can.
thepostofficehotel.com.au/menu
STREAT
Melbourne-based hospitality social enterprise Streat has also been hit hard by the pandemic. With significantly reduced output across its bakery, roastery, and catering and cafe businesses, Streat has put together a Box of Family Goodness campaign whereby subscribers receive a monthly delivery of bread, coffee and other foodstuffs. What’s more, Streat has collaborated with other Melbourne-based social enterprises to create Moving Feast in an effort to support vulnerable Victorians. The collaborative grows produce and prepares culturally appropriate meals for delivery to the thousands of Victorians in need of emergency meals.
Positive Parcels
Tori Allen Events is one of the many events companies currently up against a coronavirus brick wall. But this Hawthorn East business isn’t backing down. Positive Parcels is a curated parcel and floral arrangement company designed to spread love and positivity. You can order a parcel for a friend or loved one, a client or a colleague. There’s the Fri-Nally or A Minute Alone to choose from, along with a host of other parcels and seasonal floral arrangements. Order and delivery options are specific so be sure to read them carefully.