Doors to close on multicultural space

AFTER less than a year in operation, a multicultural retail space is closing its doors.

With new owners set to move in this month, the operators behind the Women of the Well store at 66 Bridge Mall are aiming to move on to a new space.

Acquired through Ballarat Evolve, the site has been run by the Multicultural Women’s Group’s five key members and the business owners behind Mat Tetni, Martha Crotchet Creative, and A Tuk.

“Ballarat Evolve’s condition is if the landlord can find someone to pay the full commercial rent, they can move us out within 30 days and that’s exactly what’s happened,” said Women of the Well co-owner Mary Top.

“We’re not in a position to pay that because we pay $500 a month in utilities and the full commercial rent is something like $3,000 a month.”

Initially used as a space to sell crocheted fabrics and sewn aprons inspired by their African culture, Ms Top said the site quickly became much more than just a shop.

“We’d have a fridge at the back of the shop for kids to come and eat after school and a space at the back for if people could sit and talk,” she said.

“We’ve been doing sewing, hair braiding and started doing community workshops for people to get involved and learn about our culture.

“People in Bridge Mall have told me we’ve brought some vibrancy and something unique and different here.”

A closing down sale was launched last week, and the keys are to be handed over on Friday, April 19.

The store’s title is in reference to the owners’ journey from South Sudan to Australia.

Ms Top said she and her colleagues plan to continue their vision elsewhere.

“We don’t have a space yet but with the heart of the community we’ve become a community hub, we’ve come so far and there’s no way we can back up now.

“We’re hoping the Ballarat community can get behind the Women of the Well and there’ll be someone that can help to continue the work we’re doing for the community.”