The Coronavirus outbreak has impacted businesses across Australia, forcing doors to close. However, in amongst turmoil, one small business has found an opportunity to continue operating with the support of their community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Branxton Crib Box Cafe faced almost certain closure when the recent regulations came into place. For owner Nicole Gibson, having to make a quick decision to either close or revamp the way the cafe works, she chose to test out the waters giving customers a fresh new way to eat.
"Majority of our work and the way we service customers at the cafe was dine-in so, when the regulations were changed to takeaway only, we had less than 24-hours to comply and we had to make some enormous decisions very-very quickly without a lot of information", Nicole said.
Immediately implementing the new social distancing rules, they experienced compliance issues from members of the public ignoring all the health warnings. Figuring out the correct actions to prevent people pushing tables together, while still operating successfully was a focal point in deciding whether to stay open or not.
"There was an enormous moral responsibility for me, around not just taking care of my business, but I had four staff that relied solely on me... All their partners were stood down from work.
"So, we made the decision to go on".
Within the first couple of days of changing to takeaway, the business struggled, losing 30 to 40 per cent of their daily trade. At the same time, a number of local businesses began closing their doors leaving lots of people suddenly out of work.
This gave Nicole an idea.
She asked her marketing team to put together a survey finding out how much support they would receive from the community if she expanded into a home delivery service as well as takeaway.
"I realised that we were dealing with a situation where we had friends, family and a number of people in a very small town that had no jobs and no prospects of jobs. So I thought, how do we get around this?
"My idea there was that we could actually absorb some of the staff from the pub and maybe some of the other local businesses and restaurants, where we could bring them in and run two crews".
Receiving enormous support from the public, Nicole created a further 12 positions, setting up two working teams; morning and night.
There are plans for a further team to be created, made up of chefs from Hunter Valley restaurants including; Bistro Molines, EXP, Kawul. They will cook meals, freeze them and then they will be available for home delivery for people wanting food anywhere from one day to one week ahead.
"It is another opportunity that has opened up for the business", Nicole said.
"An opportunity to bring people in with real skills to do whole foods, home delivery style meals, that after a while burgers and chips won't fill".
The Government's small business subsidies have provided comfort for the business. Being previously a bank manager, Nicole explained it has proved beneficial to understand the way they can receive help from the Government in times of stress. Currently, the Government is assisting in waiving their PAYG payroll tax and there is no doubt the GST requirements will be available for them to pay at a later date.
"The instant asset write off will be great for us too. We're working with a company called J & H Commercial from Lochinvar, who support the majority of the major restaurants out in Pokolbin and Newcastle, and who have donated free equipment. They've also agreed to supply any additional equipment that we may need at cost.
"So, the upfront investment for us will be less, but we'll also be able to immediately write those items of equipment off for an instant asset write off program at the end of the year... Simply put, we'll get a tax deduction".
With engagement on their Facebook posts moving from one digit to three digits, "beyond generous" is how Nicole explained the local community. They have received a range of contributions from companies and even people in the street.
"We hired a beautiful girl from Greta who is vision impaired. A local business The Newcastle Tech Guy donated a desktop with a larger screen, came in yesterday in his own time to set it up so we can enlarge the font, allowing Sophie to see. She'll be taking over all of the admin from me.
"I've also had people contact me to say, 'Do you guys need lemons? I've got bags full of lemons, I'll donate them... I've got carrots, do you want carrots?'
"One of our biggest local employers is Les Russell & Sons (Earthmoving & Haulage Contractors). They have a lot of boys heading to and from the mines and have always been incredible supporters of ours. From here on in, every bit of catering comes to us", Nicole explained.
Even the local Branxton P&C showed their support with a lunch for teachers and canteen staff being bought directly from the business.
Showing how the community spirit can keep things alive, the cafe is operating efficiently and has plans to continue running as it is when the pandemic is over. Having no obligation for new staff members to stay with them when things calm down, Nicole aims for all these skilled workers to train future employees so when they leave for their previous jobs, the cafe can continue to flourish.
Still facing unprecedented challenges with the growing virus, the fears from staff members are quite real, with Nicole begging the public to be understanding and isolate if they can.
"We go home at night frightened. I don't hug my little girl until I have had a shower, change my shoes, sanitize my hands. There's a very real threat, as far as we know, to those of us who are staying in circulation.
"So, when we ask you to social distance, and ask you to step back - step back. Don't make us feel crappy for us enforcing the regulations. Please wash your hands, social distance, respect those rules so we can all keep going
