Buying your Christmas presents locally could mean the difference between a Canberra business staying open or closing in January, says POP Canberra owner Gabe Trew.
“I can’t stress how important it is to shop local during this period, what a difference it could make.” Since 2018 the local merchant has provided a reserved spot for Canberra’s makers, artisans, and designers to sell their wares under his roof, ever since POP was a humble pop-up in New Acton.
For these businesses, Christmas shoppers represent a chance to stand again after scraping through the lockdown period. To celebrate coming out the other side, and provide further incentive for foot traffic, Gabe partnered with POP favourite, Underground Spirits to create a gin that’s “Canberra in a bottle”.
“We wanted a project to celebrate, a reminder that there are good times ahead,” said Mr Trew. The new Sweet Sun-Soaked Gin can be bought instore only.
Gin maker and CEO of Underground Spirits, Claudia Roughley described the creative thought behind it. “Mango Bubble Tea, for the Canberra bubble. Bay leaf, for Bateman’s Bay, which Canberrans love to get away to. Floral notes for the event we all know and love. Even notes of native lime, as a nod to the Raiders.”
Attending the launch was Minister for Business, Tara Cheyne. “After a challenging year, Canberra is back in business, and Canberrans are backing business,” said Ms Cheyne. Her key message for Canberrans was to not only shop local, but to shop personally.
“We already know that there are supply issues. We know that Australia Post’s deadline for pre-Christmas shipping is almost up. You can support local by buying the products that are already here.”
Ms Roughley noted that, in today’s world, “we all want to know where our products come from. We want to know where they are made, and the story behind them. To be able to tell that story fosters a connection, no matter what you’re consuming, and this is what so many Canberran businesses specialise in.”
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