"Give it a go": Croydon's Main Street opens the door to new retailers

A town’s main street is only as strong as its sense of community.

With about 180 businesses lining the iconic eastern suburbs strip that makes up Croydon’s Main Street, it can often be a complex and difficult job to maintain a lively atmosphere for frequent shoppers or opportunistic visitors alike.

This has been the job of the Croydon Main Street Traders Association (CMSTA) for more than 30 years - an association largely driven by the traders on the ground with support from Maroondah Council.

According to the CMSTA website, their aim is to ensure the continued success and vibrancy of the Croydon Main Street precinct through various events, online and offline promotions, and advertising.

Miss Lacey Cafe and Wine Bar owner and CMSTA vice president Tennille Douglas said connecting with the association since launching the new business a bit over three and a half years ago was invaluable.

“It’s been a great way to get to know other traders,” she told the Eastern Melburnian.

Ms Douglas said the group’s work also revolved around coming up with fun activities to attract people and retailers, with Christmas activities and decorations set to overtake the street next month.

“We’ve got plenty of beautiful food outlets for people to come to, but now we need another reason for people to come to Main Street,” she said.

“I think there’s definitely room for more retail shopping, shoe shop, clothing shops, those sorts of things just to draw the people in.”

The Level Crossing Removal Project team have removed the level crossing at Coolstore Road and delivered a new station for Croydon, connecting Croydon’s town centre and making it easier for pedestrians to cross the rail line.

Despite the Level Crossing Removal Project website detailing passengers and finishing works on the station, transport hub and remaining new road connections would continue into spring, works were still ongoing.

Ms Douglas said the traders were looking forward to finding a new normal once works were done next year.

“I think we’re now at a point with the level crossing project where things are nearing the end,” she said.

“Hopefully, as we near the end of the project, we see more retailers come in and more shops being filled.”

Ms Douglas said the association was always open to having new business opportunities make Croydon’s Main Street a new home.

“Like any street, businesses come and go.”

“We’ve got vacant shops, but we can’t dictate what goes into those shops.”

“Give it a go.”

Photo Credit: Eastern Melburnian