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Bayside local businesses are continuing to adapt to serve their customers through the easing of restrictions as well for the new ‘COVID normal”.

We caught up with five local traders from the Bayside Still Open for Business Directory which includes more than 500 local businesses serving our community.

Using the Directory is an easy way to keep up to shop local and keep date with the wide range of services and products on offer #BaysideStrongTogether.

As social distancing rules came in, limiting face-to-face activities, Yoga Station in Sandringham quickly evolved to deliver one-on-one sessions via Zoom.

The virtual yoga classes have opened new opportunities for business owner Brett Ritchie and his clients. “Designing individual practices isn’t new but delivering them online has been,” Brett said.

“My practice has always focused on private lessons or small classes. I like the personal approach and really getting to know how people are feeling and how their life is going in general.”

Brett’s business is largely word-of-mouth and news has spread about his new Zoom classes. “I’ve been teaching yoga for 20 years,” he said. “People move away, but during this pandemic I’ve re-connected with past clients.”

Contact Brett Ritchie on 0410 645 745 or brett [at] yogastation.com.au to find out more.

Jenny Steffos may have reduced the opening hours at her popular craft store Brighton Bay Button Shop, during COVID-19 restrictions, but the business remains busier than ever.

By placing a simple shoe box, pen and paper outside her Brighton shop, Jenny could respond to customers requests for products and advice by delivering to their door. “I have a strong loyal customer base and then others who stop by because they are walking past,” she said. “The shoe box idea was a great way for us to respond to the increase in foot traffic.”

Jenny has also increased her presence on Facebook and engaged her online community by adapting posts to the current climate.

“I knitted a face mask and created a knitters project by putting a call out to my network of sewers, crocheters and knitters to create PPE masks for first responders who were re-purposing their own PPE.”

Visit Brighton Bay Button Shop at 405 Bay St, Brighton

Café owner Ivanka from Arugula in Hampton lives and breathes her business motto – positivity, balance and awareness.

With restrictions on cafes easing, Arugula is now offering limited dine-in service but for several months Ivanka offered takeaway only.

 “Of course, we changed our service platform to takeaway and delivery but in this time that has been challenging for everyone, there is so much we can be doing to help each other,” Ivanka said. Since the pandemic, she has helped neighbouring businesses that have been forced to close by selling their products inside the café..  

“Not only should businesses be helping each other so we not only adapt, but survive, it is a great message for our own customers who come in, see us selling other products and also want to help by purchasing these items,” Ivanka said. “Connections are naturally happening and as we evolve, it is bringing out the best in our community.”

Visit Arugula Café at 444 Hampton Street, Hampton.

Professional commercial photographer Tatiana Scott encouraged clients to drop off their products and consult online during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Hampton East-based photographer said her business is changing every day to keep up with restrictions. “While the Government was asking people to stay at home, my clients were dropping off products or sending them through the post, we would then meet via Zoom or phone to discuss the brief.”

This different way of working is more a change for the client than it is for the professional photographer and it comes down to trust.

“My clients are realising they don’t need to be onsite for a shoot and still get the same results from my work,” Tatiana said. “They are still engaged through all stages of approval and have control, but while I’m working on creating beautiful images for their products and business, they can be doing other things. It’s about trust.”

Contact Tatiana CC Scott Photography on 0466 977 132 or at Tccscott74 [at] gmail.com  www.tatianaccscott.com.au

With a little help from family and friends, Adam the Flowerman has enhanced its online delivery service that is being utilised more by locals. Owner and Director Adam Beehre said the shop always had an online presence and delivered, but the service was mostly used by people living outside of Bayside.

“The shop has been able to stay open throughout the pandemic, however with social distancing we needed to be more creative with limited numbers of people being able to shop in-store,” he said.

Adam re-creates the beautiful bouquets sold at the Sandringham florist and uses high quality photography and video to post online. “We are selling through beautiful images,” he said, "however more locals are now buying Adam the Flowerman’s fresh flowers to be delivered to themselves and loved ones".

Visit Adam the Flowerman at 79 Station Street Sandringham or online at adamtheflowerman.com.au