Zen Coastal Living rides out the storm

TIFFANY Edwards realised a dream when she opened a retail store in Torquay with her mum Janette.

Zen Coastal Living welcomed its first customers in August of 2004 and has grown organically since its humble beginnings as a small shop selling candles and hand creams.

Tiffany took over the business five years ago and moved into the Gilbert Street shopfront which gave her the space to sell a larger range of giftware, homewares, furniture, jewellery and clothing.

It is a business she loves but the mum-of-two is facing the prospect of closing the shop due to the ongoing challenges caused by coronavirus restrictions.

“When COVID first hit business was non-existent, there were zero customers and there wasn’t even any point sitting here every day,” she said.

“I think everyone was just that terrified and scared so I shut for the first few weeks and then came in for a couple of days a week.”

For the last few months Tiffany has reduced the shop hours to 11am to 3pm from Wednesday to Saturday.

She intends to push through until Christmas and then decide whether it is viable to keep the shop going for a 17th year.

“When we opened up after the first round it was quite good because people couldn’t travel overseas or interstate so it was busier for a little while than a normal winter would have been,” she said.

“But then with the second wave it just crashed again.”

JobKeeper payments and a small amount of rent relief has also helped but being a sole trader Tiffany was not eligible for any of the government’s business grants.

She said without cash flow it was difficult to buy the thousands of dollars in new stock she would normally order in the lead-up to Christmas.

“That’s where it gets pretty tough and you do wonder how much to buy for Christmas in case we get locked down again – whether it is going to be busy or quiet is so unknown.”

Tiffany said her loyal customers had kept Zen Coastal Living afloat and those who visit will find the shop is brimming with beautiful wares.

The shelves are filled with an array of candles and diffusers, women’s clothing hangs neatly from racks around the store and timber cabinets are filled with sterling silver jewellery.

As more people turn to online shopping there has never been a time when Tiffany has appreciated the support of the Torquay community more.

“The local people have been so good,” she says, smiling from behind her mask.

“People have said ‘I’m going to shop with you at Christmas’ – so they are paying the rent at the moment.

“I would be sad to close if it came to that because I’d miss the interaction with people and it’s always been a love business for me rather than being about making a lot of money.

“Sixteen years is a long time in business and I’ve got so many lifelong friends from having this shop.

“It’s been nice to be part of the Torquay community for so long.

Find Zen Coastal Living at 6/19 Gilbert Street, Torquay and follow Zen Coastal Living on Facebook.