LOVING LOCAL IN LOCKDOWN The Songstress & The Silvereyes - Kirsty Nixon, The Poi Room
LOVING LOCAL IN LOCKDOWN
If necessity is the mother of invention, then the changes our local businesses have recently made reveals just how truly inventive and resilient they are. We talked to a range of retailers, service providers and cafes to find out how they overcame the challenges of this recent lockdown and what locals have to look forward to as we move down the alert levels.
TAKE TIME TO READ Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop, The Women’s Bookshop, Novel, Dear Reader and Paper Plus are amongst the many places we love to shop for books that entertain, distract, feed our minds and souls. This time round our local retailers are offering a range of ways to make sure contactless sales are even easier and focusing on processes to ensure customers are safe and comfortable to shop in person again at alert level 2.
When Auckland jumped back into alert level 3, local businesses and communities were there for each other.
alert level 3 last time. “We had so many web orders come in and that really kept our business afloat!” Their click and collect service and bike delivery team were back in action offering same day deliveries to local addresses. “We’re also including a $5 COVID Level 3 voucher for every online order, redeemable in the shop when we open again,” says Helen. After over 100 days without a new case of Covid-19 it’s been a bit of a shock for many to be returning to alert level 3. One book that Mary and Helen recommend is Just Breathe by Jen Sievers. “It’s a New Zealand book about how breathing and mindfulness can help when you’re feeling worried or sad,” says Helen.
Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop Helen and Mary Wadsworth of Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop on Jervois Road appreciated the enormous support of customers during
Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop is opening with reduced hours during alert level 3, Monday-Friday 10am-4pm and Sat and Sunday 10am-3pm. Novel Andrew Mabel from Novel on Jervois Road in Herne Bay is committed to making sure readers don’t suffer under alert level 2 and 3. ”I’m doing it again,” confirms Andrew. “If any customers who are local and are in desperate need of some books, I can sort something out and deliver them without contact. All covers (except cloth) will be wiped with disinfectant and payment can be made online,” he added. Local delivery team from Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop Helen Wadsworth, Matthew Moore and Rosie Moore
44 PONSONBY NEWS+ September 2020
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)
