While it may be the more convenient option to hit up the multitude of chain stores to fill those Christmas shopping quotas, Bathurst residents are being encouraged to think outside the box this year when it comes to supporting local business.
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The Bathurst Eccentric, one of Keppel Street's many trendy art and second-hand stores, has spent much of 2021 adopting a unique approach to promoting local creatives, as well as a wide range of quirky second-hand goods.
For owner Melanie de Boehmler, the aim is simple: to promote the importance of shopping sustainably, the works of artists and musicians and the joys of seeking out something a little different.
"I'm really trying to encourage ethical and sustainable shopping, and I always endeavour to have interesting items on sale for second-hand treasure hunters," Ms de Boehmler said.
"The more we can recycle and reuse as humans, the better the environment around us will be; we can't let all these treasures end up in landfill."
Alongside her own artistic creations, Ms de Boehmler has been reaching out to other local creatives in town looking for an avenue to display and sell their work.
"There's some gothic art on display from Emma, an incredibly talented local mum, a range of amazing ornate mirrors crafted by Ursula, and I have another friend, Fiona, who creates a unique range of upcycled materials," she said.
"I also have some local music on sale, including some of Matt Williamson's albums, and I'm always open to welcoming more local creatives looking for somewhere to display what they've created."
"It's been an incredibly testing time for so many small businesses over the past two years, many of whom cannot qualify for government assistance, so the best we can do as a community is back each other."
The Bathurst Eccentric is situated at 2/112 Keppel Street, and opens 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm Saturday.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
