A stalwart of the Hampshire Road shopping strip in Sunshine has called it a day.
With a heavy heart, Silke Pauli has decided to close her well-known flower shop.
“It really was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make – I thought I’d die in that shop,” Ms Pauli said.
“I’m going to miss the people terribly, but … there wasn’t really any foot traffic coming through.
“I had half a dozen regulars, but other than that it was very quiet.”
Ms Pauli said a lack of shopping options and inadequate parking places made the strip a difficult place to do business.
“There’s not really any shopping options in the strip anymore,” she said.
“I’ve been there since 1981 … when I first started out, there was everything.
“We had clothes shops, jewellers – you name it. Now it’s just cafes and grocery stores.
“There’s a heap of food options for people, but people don’t go down there to shop.
“When you add poor parking options to the equation, people tend to steer clear and just come by to eat.”
While the storefront flower operation has closed, Ms Pauli will continue to operate
online.
“I’ll set up a little studio and still be taking orders online and over the phone,” she said.
“Everything will still be the same. It’s the same number, same website address – I just won’t have the shop anymore.”
While the business will live on, it’s the end of an era for the shopping strip.
“It’s been about 36 years and I’m sad because I absolutely love shopping strips, not just in Sunshine, but across Melbourne,” Ms Pauli said. “But I had to do what was right for me and what is hopefully right by my business. I’d like to thank the community for supporting me over the years and hope they’ll continue to do so as I move into this new chapter.”
Details: flowersofsunshine.com.au
