It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas!

THE festive spirit has well and truly arrived at Lansell Square with the return of Janine Dale’s Christmas in Bendigo store.

Ms Dale, who moved to Bendigo three years ago, said she has been welcomed to the community and is grateful to be able to bring joy to people all over the region.

“Everyone likes Christmas, or most people do. It brings a lot of joy to the community, especially a lot of the elderly,” she said.

“They normally come in and visit once or twice a week, just to have a browse.”

The shop stocks everything from six-foot Saint Nick and nutcracker statues to light up musical ornaments. Table settings will also arrive closer to Yuletide.

But Ms Dale said this festive season will be different, as later this month the solo shop owner will be required to check customers’ vaccination status.

“It is quite worrying, on the 24th we’re supposed to check the vaccinations being retail,” she said.

“It’s quite scary that we can be closed down at any time because a lot of people do come in and browse.”

In October, Premier Daniel Andrews announced when Victoria reaches 90 per cent full vaccination for the 12 and over population, all shoppers will have to present their COVID-19 vaccine certificate upon entry.

Regardless of the extra requirement, Ms Dale expects her store will become much busier once December rolls around.

“It’s a really good feeling for me because I’m doing something for the community,” she said.

“We keep our prices quite low because we want to be affordable for everyone. We cater for the average person so they can have beautiful things at an affordable price.”

Christmas in Bendigo is located in Lansell Square, across from Woolworths.