By Justin Flynn
The decision to close off the Terrace to vehicular traffic for Ocean Grove Business Association’s second Christmas in the Grove proved to be a big hit.
The shopping extravaganza and street festival on 7 December was a massive success, with traders spilling their wares out onto The Terrace on a warm evening.
Ocean Grove Business Association was pleased with the turn out and was buoyed by its decision to close The Terrace to cars between 5pm and 8pm for the festival.
Ocean Grove Business Association president Ty Simons said it could now be an annual event.
“Most businesses that had stalls or were open had a good night with lots of new browsers as well as shoppers,” he said.
“It is great to be able to showcase what Ocean Grove has to offer. Apart from some obvious big brands (Coles and Target), every business in Ocean Grove Main Street and Madeley Street are independently owned and operated. It has been a long time since the street has been closed and we are confident that this was a good idea and added to a wonderful evening. It enabled us to have a bouncy castle, tables on the road and a safer environment for all.”
Traders reported good sales during the three-hour festival.
“Probably the busiest businesses were food-related with most packed to the rafters,” Mr Simons said.
“The aim was always to promote local small businesses and to remind people to spend some of their Christmas money here in Ocean Grove and keep these businesses and our town thriving. I think that we would like to do something similar next year and bring in businesses from the industrial estate to show what they are doing and offering too.”
