A selection of small businesses along the Wanda Beach shopping strip are planning to give back to the community that has supported them throughout the pandemic.
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Led by Lilly Hill boutique manager Tegan Mudryk, businesses are banding together to create a shopping event for the community in May that will offer live music, nibbles and wine tastings for free.
"All small businesses have been impacted by the past year but we feel incredibly fortunate to have such strong support from the community that we wanted to give back," Ms Mudryk said.
"We're planning a shopping event in May for the community. Businesses in Salamander Bay will be showcasing what they have to offer but we'll have free wine, food and live music to really say 'thank you' to the community, to let them know we're here, we're open and that we've loved their support during COVID."
The event, called the Winter Wine Night, will be staged at Lilly Hill and along the Soldiers Point Road shopping strip on May 26 from 3pm to 7pm.
Involved so far is Lilly Hill, the Good Food Distributors, Barley Sugar Day Spa and Beauty, Salamander Village Florist and Tynan Wines.
Ms Mudryk said the event was also providing an opportunity to showcase what businesses are in the area, such as Tynan Wines which will be offering free tastings on the night. The urban winery was opened in the Salamander Bay industrial area by Mark Tynan and Anthea Andonopolous in June 2020.
"We're excited to be part of this," Ms Andonopolous said. "I think we all need some levity in our lives after what we went through last year, something we can all look forward to. I think we've moved past the point of fear and want to start coming together.
"For us, we really want to show our thanks to the community for its support. Opening a new businesses in the middle of a pandemic was certainly challenging but the community has been really supportive. We want to show our thanks for that support, and for really embracing shopping local."
Salamander Village Florist owner Wendy Martin said she was more than happy to be involved in Winter Wine Night.
"We have a great business community along this strip and really strong local support," she said.
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Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
