Locals Supporting Locals Supporting The World
Newcastle has many gems. Among some of the best beaches in the country and the Hunter Valley wine region, there’s a sense of pride and entrepreneurship that has small businesses popping up, market stalls to entire brick-and-mortar stores. It only takes one visit to the Olive Tree Markets to understand just how passionate so many Novocastrians are about supporting small and local. Today, we take a look at some small businesses from the Hunter doing amazing things, both for the local community and the greater good.
After months of build-up, Consignment Collective finally opened its doors in February 2020 and quickly captured the attention of designer devotees across Newcastle. The self-proclaimed home of designer clothes and accessories in Newcastle provides a space for customers to sell and buy pre-loved high-end and luxury goods still in excellent condition.
Consignors can not only earn money for selling their clothing and accessories through Consignment Collective, but know that they are extending the life of each piece by passing it on for someone else to cherish.
Consignment Collective welcomes items of every price point from luxury designer, rare collectors items and everyday contemporary designers. Their online store is open now with a limited range of their in-store offerings.
Another brand new store, Village People is a premium clothing and homewares op-shop run by the team at Got Your Back Sista. Selling a range of donated high quality new and second-hand items, money raised through the store goes directly to Got Your Back Sista and their own initiatives providing relief and support for women and children escaping the trauma of domestic violence and are at risk of living below the poverty line.
“We were very fortunate we had great donations.” Said Melissa Histon, Founder and CEO of Got Your Back Sista. Along with vintage and second-hand items donated by the public, brand new items from local stores like Scentsation, Touch of Tuscany, Abicus and Scout are also available at over 50% off their normal retail price. Village People has recently reopened its doors after briefly closing due to COVID-19.
Village People has recently reopened its doors after briefly closing due to COVID-19.
Sometimes you only need a nice dress for that one perfect occasion, and that’s where Goldie’s Dress Hire comes in. With over 100 designer dresses ranging from sizes 6 to 16, Goldie’s provides high-end, quality dresses at a fraction of the full retail price.
Maybe you’re the type to buy a nice dress, wear it once and leave it to sit beautifully in your wardrobe? Goldie’s also provides a Rent Your Dress service, where the original owner of the piece can earn up to 40% commission each time it is hired. So, not only can you save money on something you might only wear once, you help the environment out by extending the life cycle of a piece and not contributing to the production of new items.
Dress hire is offered both locally and nationally, and try-ons are available Thursday-Friday by appointment.
Offering both a boutique and bouquet service, The Grateful is built around the ethos of showing gratitude and paying it forward. Using a one-to-one system, gratitude from every item sold at The Grateful is passed on to other people in need. For every dollar spent on fashions and accessories, up to $25 is also donated to Got Your Back Sista. For every bouquet purchased one is also donated to John Hunter Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, with a story and photo passed back to show you who received your flowers.
Gift packs can also be delivered and are curated for a range of occasions, from children to adults to business and corporate themes. Each box uses sustainable packaging and is made in collaboration with other local creatives with gratitude paid forward to both Got Your Back Sista and other causes, depending on the pack chosen. The Grateful Boutique has recently reopened and items are available to shop online.
Whether it is giving back to those in need or extending Fashion Revolution Week past just one week, connecting with other people and putting good back into the world is one brilliant pick-me-up, especially during self-iso. And when you can get something for yourself and give something to others at the same time, why not do both?
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