The region's small businesses have seen city folk interested in their products just days after the release of the new Buy Regional online hub.
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Enchanted on Conadilly's Stuart and Jodi Dolbel and Ange Lavender of Spring Ridge's Country Culture are both signed up to the site, and have already had requests come through for their wares.
Mrs Dolbel said with the creation of the new hub, she was seeing big sales.
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"Since the launch of this [new hub] ... we're selling $300 quilts and throw rugs whereas we wouldn't be seeing those kinds of sales on the [store's] website," she said.
"It brings in extra customers that we wouldn't see and that aren't relying on income from drought-ravaged areas ... and they've got a little bit of extra money to spend so they can buy that $300 quilt whereas that's not the kind of thing we can spend money on at the moment because they're all luxury items.
"If we're seeing something substantial now, once it's been up and going for a while ... it can only get bigger."
The hub showcases regional shops and sellers together in one place, to make it easy for shoppers to support regional NSW. It was created by the state government alongside the founders of the #BuyFromTheBush and the #OneDayCloserToRain online communities.
Mrs Lavender said it had "already been fantastic" for her business, which offers boutique hampers with Australian-made products and artisan gifts.
"I've already got some inquiries for large order quantity corporate Christmas gifts which is fantastic, so I'm working on a few different projects from that," she said.
"I've received messages with the orders saying things like 'thinking of you in your drought stricken areas, really hope this helps with your business and family'."
The business owner said it was important for those in regional NSW to support their fellow locals, too.
"I know a lot of people shop online and offshore and in cities, if all of us in the countries can shop local that would help us as well as all our city friends doing the same," Mrs Lavender said.
All businesses are encouraged to join up to the hub to sell their wares, via https://www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/regional-nsw/buy-regional-this-christmas/
Jessica Worboys
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
