A "magical" Christmas shop in Gunnedah's main street is already bringing smiles to the faces of locals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former Toyworld Leader's Castle was transformed into a festive haven in just four days by Goodness and Gracious owner Susie Martin and opened on Wednesday.
Read also:
While Mrs Martin admits she's taking a risk opening a third store - "Who opens a Christmas shop in the middle of the biggest drought ever?" - she said, "if it boosts morale, it's worth it".
"I've thought considerably about this; people still want to spend money but they don't want to spend as much, so we've dropped our price point," she said.
"People are at that stage of, 'You know what? We won't give up.'," she said.
"You've just got to keep going and Christmas is an easy way to make people happy ... to have that magic and hope at this time when everything is down."
The novelty has already had an impact on residents and caught the eye of visitors driving by.
"They've gone, 'I can't believe this is here' and their mouths have dropped open ... We get joy out of watching them," Mrs Martin said.
"It's bringing other people to our town and it's very exciting ... to get people to travel up here gives me goosebumps."
Employee and Kelvin girl Olivia Carter knows the despair of being surrounded by desolate paddocks and said the shop's surprise appearance had definitely given locals a lift.
"When people come in, they are always bright and happy and some get a tear in their eye," she said.
"When we read the feedback on our Facebook page, we know we're making a difference."
Mrs Martin said she was hopeful it would encourage people to shop locally for Christmas.
Help our RDA
Goodness and Gracious is offering gift wrapping for a gold coin donation to raise funds to donate to the RDA to help the volunteer group purchase hay for the horses.
Gift wrapping is available at the Gunnedah and Quirindi Goodness and Gracious store and the Gunnedah Christmas store.