No squares to spare inspires amusing apparel

“I SURVIVED the 2020 toilet paper crisis” are the words printed on a new line of facetious T-shirts spearheaded by three Torquay locals.

Valeri Tkatchenko, Melissa Illman and Dean Danny decided to turn what’s been a nightmare for supermarkets across the country into a reminder that despite near-bare loo roll shelves, Australians sure know how to have a laugh in even the most unlikely of situations.

Mr Tkatchenko, head roaster at Mikro Coffee Roasters, said the intent was to sell 30 T-shirts worldwide, but promising online orders saw Hip Pocket Grovedale print more to meet demand.

“We were making some fun about the toilet paper crisis, and then when social distancing became a big issue we decided to create a shirt for it just to remind people that’s what the go is at the moment.

“We’ve been spending most of it (accumulated funds) on local businesses just to spread it out as much as we can.

“If we do make a profit, we’ll use some of the money to try to donate it to some of the local causes that need it.”

The T-shirts, which are available online, at the roastery and at The Kiosk Torquay, have inspired other innovative ideas to keep the business afloat during what is a challenging time for the hospitality industry.

Mr Tkatchenko said his leading priority was ensuring his staff stayed in their jobs and that the business was diversifying its practices to deliver on this commitment.

“At the moment we’ve got six staff at the roastery and three in the kiosk, so we’re diversifying their job roles to make sure we can keep them on.

“It’s pretty tricky at the moment in terms of coffee sales because the government’s telling everyone to stay at home so people don’t feel safe to come out and buy a takeaway coffee.

“We’re innovating our business now to help people learn how to make coffee at home using live webinar set ups so they’ll have access to professional baristas.

“People can also ask questions in real time.”

Mr Tkatchenko said he planned to have the online tutorials out on Monday of this week, and that he was doing his best to keep his spirits high.

“It’s definitely tough and it’s a trying time but it’s kind of created an inspiration out of desperation for everyone. We’re trying to see it in a positive way and move with it as opposed to shutting the job and feeling sorry for ourselves and doing nothing.”

To check out the T-shirts, head to crisistees.com.au.