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THIS festive season you are being encouraged to become locavores, and support local business whenever and wherever possible.
The Queensland Government is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland to promote 'Think Queensland, Buy locally this festive season'. Queensland is home to more than 403,000 small businesses, which each have 20 employees or less and these are at the core of every industry sector.
They are found in every community in every region, represent 97 per cent of businesses across the state, and employ 50 per cent of all private sector workers.
They constitute the backbone of larger projects, power regional development, and are also the gateway through which many people enter the economy.
Buying from small business returns many times the amount spent to the local economy through employee wages, rates and the purchase of goods and materials.
Making purchases at your local nook or marketplace will ensure small business remains in its rightly position as the backbone of local economy.
Below are two of our recommendations for holiday hangouts:
The Village Markets
A short stroll from the beach, you will find treasure at Burleigh Heads State School, where more than a few gems reside for a rendezvous twice a month. Once school's out, Burleigh Heads State School reshapes on the first and third Sunday of the month into a melting pot being stirred by the best of the local creative scene. At The Village Markets you will find gourmet food trucks, up-cycled homewares, vintage threads, emerging designers, local musos, and much more. If you've caught the holiday cheer and are feeling like a bit of a Mexican fiesta, Siguenos food truck is a must-feast. The Siguenos team are definitely on to something from a culinary perspective, and a business perspective too they are the only food truck vendors operating on the streets of the Gold Coast.
Eat Street Markets
A Christmas feast would not be complete without a trip to Eat Street. Mark our words. Located at Hamilton Wharf on Brisbane's north shore, Eat Street is as much a treat for your tastebuds as it is a feast for your eyes, with local artisans also stamping this place as their own. Inspired by the hustle and bustle of Asian night markets, Eat Street sparkles in fairy lights and gives off a carnival vibe. Given this, the eclectic, international food offerings mesh perfectly. Everything is on offer from trending foods, such as cronuts and blended cakes in jars, to traditional fares like European-style pork belly, big American burgers and Peruvian paella. At Eat Street, you can eat your way around the world for a fraction of the price. Make a pit stop at New Farm Confectionary for stocking stuffers, where you will find an array of French-inspired chocolates and confectionary produced in the heart of Brisbane.
While it may seem fun in theory to be privy to a 'best kept secret', it's not too much fun in reality when you have no friends to share the experience with.
Local knowledge will only get small business so far. Spread the goodwill this silly season by downloading and printing 'Think Queensland, Buy locally this festive season' promotional material, including a social media banner, and poster and sticker designs. Additional material is available to download here.
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