Category: Mall-Contents

Lucky owns Flirting Shadows, a small cafe next to Victoria Mall. On top of this, he runs a consulting business in Dubai training staff on ‘aussie style’ cakes. He’s also worked more jobs than you can poke a stick at; he’s been a make up artist, oil and gas worker and has even been in the business of tailor made suits and public transport interior trimmings. He took some time out of his busy day to answer some questions while he made us a sucuk toastie.

Why the name Flirting Shadows?
Before ‘coffee art’ was well-known, I called the designs you can make in coffee cups ‘shadows’. So, when I took over the lease from the Lebanese bakery that was here two and a half years ago, I decided to call it ‘Flirting Shadows’.

What made you start the business?
I lived in Coburg for 4 years before buying the business. While living here I thought something was missing. Everywhere is a different spot. You can walk 50 metres one way and there’s a different crowd, then another 50 metres and it’s different again. For example, seniors here have regular hangouts, but that’s more in the mall. So, my place has different customers looking for what I offer.

What do you think about the new railway changes?
The new works happening at the station are meant to make the place busier. They’re hoping to make the area nicer, but I know what happens under bridges.

What do you think about not paying rent during the pandemic?
If I can’t pay rent I’ll just pack up and hand the keys back. I don’t know the owner’s situation, they might need my rent. But also rent is clearly too expensive in Australia – I’ve lived all around the world. And it doesn’t suit everyone to share a house, or share a room.

How is business during covid?
The customers have been very supportive. If you go to buy bread, you get a coffee as well, even if you don’t need it — and that’s to support local businesses. A lot of people are also ordering online for pickup.

What are your future plans?
I originally wanted to have a take away shop, because of being next to a carpark, but people want to sit. People want to feel secure which is difficult without bollards. The motorbikes outside the shop act as a type of bollard for the meantime. But hopefully I’ll get some proper seating soon. Apart from that, I like to keep my options open. I like working here for the moment though. I see it as by making you coffee I’m part of your day, and it contributes to how well your day goes.

Local workers share their insights

Paul K C works in Victoria Mall and set aside some time to answer a few questions

What’s it like working in a shopping-strip in competition with other shops – do the shop workers have a good relationship with the other businesses?

I’m just a waiter and I always do what’s best for the customers who come to us. I never try to get other customers. I feel quite friendly with the other employers. I’ve never had feelings of competing with others, because there’s no need. Customers have already made up their mind about which store they are gonna use for food and coffees. Sometimes customers have orders from two places and I don’t feel bad about serving them. I respect and honour customers when they enter our premises. I am actually glad to work here. 

Do you think that the cafes should stay open later in the Victoria Mall? Why/why not?

If you are asking where or not cafes should open late at night, I would say yes! They should. But opening only one cafe could be risky sometimes. But if all cafes are open with proper lighting, there is no need to worry about any danger. However theft is a problem here; we had such cases in the past. 

What do you like about the area?

It is a naturally beautiful place, especially near Merri Creek. Other than that, I don’t know much about it. 

Has working in Coburg taught you anything?

Working in Coburg taught me to be quick at service. I have also learnt how weather affects people’s desire for outdoor food. I have learnt to respect different aspects of people and appreciate them. Finally, people love good food and they stick to it almost forever. 

— Paul K C

Local shopkeepers share their insights

LeeAnn

This is going into the 6th year we’ve had this shop (Pictures & Pages) — myself and Sharon. We both live in the area and our kids attend the schools here. We met as primary school parents; our kids started prep together and we were both looking for something to do. Sharon suggested this, and I said ‘I’m in’. I’ve lived in Coburg for maybe 30 years; I’d say that the demographic has changed, but really it just has peaks of young children and then old, and then it starts over again — it hasn’t changed for a long time.

There are often lots of plans for changes in the area, and then those plans often fall to the wayside. I think once the train goes up the flow on effect will come across here; they’ll develop the carpark and there will be more shops. I like the plans for the train. I look at it like: it’s going to go up, it’s not just the cheaper option, but I think underneath the ground — without being an expert — there’s a lot of infrastructure under there; once you start touching it all, you don’t know what might happen. I think the simple solution is to put it up. We just need more shops around here that are beneficial to everyone. There were a lot more fashion shops here, a lot of those have moved on, so it’d be good to have a variety for shoppers so they stick to shopping strips around here and don’t go elsewhere. More clothing stores, and in particular shoes; we’ve gone from three shoe shops to one.

Jin

About 13 or 14 years ago I started this store (Fairprice). I chose Coburg because it’s close to the city and because there are both young and old people, which is good for business. It’s hard to say what has changed in Coburg because when I’m here I’m always inside working, but I have noticed it’s become cleaner and more organised since I started working here.

I’ve also noticed it’s become more accessible for disabled people; it’s much easier for customers to access the shops now. I’ve also noticed that the customers are getting a little bit older. Coburg is a good area; it’s an area that is full of energy. Normal people can do lots of things here. But the prices are getting higher. It would be good to get younger people in the area, and for there to be more local businesses and it would be good for local businesses to grow and to have increased foot traffic.