The Festive Season is upon us and the Investment and Economic Development Unit have been working with traders to support economic recovery as a result of months of uncertainty and COVID-19 lockdowns.

The Unit has engaged local Mont Albert based business, 345 Art Creative to create and install the festive window art in selected retail precincts to encourage consumers to think local this festive season. There will also be scheduled music performances by artists and talented community groups to activate many local shopping areas throughout the month of December.

Local shopping strips are hubs of activity, encouraging interactions between traders and residents and foster a sense of community and place. This festive season art has been selected as a link pin to promote conversation and strengthen the community.

Following the Think Local Buy Local ethos, retailers and businesses can also support local to assist in growth of community spirit and bring awareness to surrounding businesses and precincts.  Thinking and supporting local is everyone’s business.

Retail precincts with festive window art for 2021 are:

• Rangeview Shopping Precinct, Mitcham
• Vermont Shopping Village, Vermont
• Nunawading Shopping Precinct, Nunawading (Station Street, Springvale Road and Wood Street)
• Bennettswood Shopping Precinct, Burwood
• Laburnum Village, Blackburn
• Kerrimuir Shopping Village, Box Hill North
• Wattle Park, Box Hill South
• Blackburn Station Village, Blackburn (South Parade and surrounding streets)
• Surrey Road, Blackburn (Corner of Surrey Road and Springfield Road)
• Vermont South Shopping Centre, Vermont South
• Vermont East Shopping Village, Vermont