What do candles, chocolates and earrings all have in common? Well, besides making lovely gifts, these are the top three things people are heading to local Canberra retailer, POP Canberra, for ahead of the Christmas shopping rush.
If these gifts don’t float your boat, there’s a whole lot more to choose from at POP, as they’re now home to over 250 Canberra region makers with an astounding range of quality gifts.
POP Canberra’s Founder, Gabe Trew, says the key to a meaningful Christmas gift is keeping it local. He says throughout his time in business with POP over the past five years, the business has supported more than 800 small businesses who have together made an estimated $5 million through selling with POP. The ultimate goal, of course, is to support local makers and creators, and when people buy their products, they are supporting a genuine small maker, artist or creator from many different age groups, backgrounds and walks of life.
“Supporting local is showing a commitment to the soul of our community and allowing Canberra to continue being a national leader of small business and creative industry,” Gabe says.
One local maker POP Canberra has supported over the past year demonstrates just how much of a big impact being supported by the local community can have. Amanda Stevens is a local Canberra region jewellery maker who credits POP Canberra to helping her sustain her business, LLL Designs, through a really difficult time in her life.
Living with a chronic illness, Amanda creates her own earrings from her home and is passionate about making something truly unique for the local community. Amanda makes one-of-a-kind, fun, happy and eye-catching earrings and specialty items. She says she was able to make it through several hardships and health battles last year with the support of the local community, and being able to make a living out of creating and selling through POP Canberra without having to do any ’front of house’ work.
“By choosing to support local businesses, we foster innovation, we allow for diversity in skills, and keep the decision-making power within our community. Shopping local isn’t just a purchase. It’s a strategic investment in the future of our local community,” Gabe says.
Gabe has just announced extended opening hours at POP Canberra for December, making it easier for busy Canberrans to get some Christmas shopping before work. The new hours are 7am–10pm from 1 to 24 December. POP Canberra is located at 27 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Open 7 days a week.
For more information on POP Canberra, visit www.popcanberra.com.au
