The Stirling Village Mall fire has already begun to have a devastating impact on the tight-knit town.
The Stirling Business Association has reported that many businesses have lost income as a result of lower foot traffic, with some saying revenue was down by up to 40%.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of small towns like Stirling, but without public support, they are not viable.
Too many country towns have fallen victim to empty shop fronts, which sadly seem to be contagious.
Shuttered shop fronts are not good for tourism, they’re not good for other businesses and they’re not good for community moral.
Stirling has a lot of attractions, including its village feel, monthly market and vibrant autumn display of deciduous trees and it will rise from the ashes of the devastating mall fire.
When the mall and supermarket are reinstated, a lot of foot traffic and patronage is likely to return.
But in the meantime, the broader Hills community can play a role in ensuring none of the existing small businesses are forced to close unnecessarily.
You only need to look back to the 2019 Cudlee creek fire to see that the Hills community has a strong history of supporting one another during times of need.
In the aftermath of that disaster – and many others like it – Hills residents have rallied together, supported local businesses, rolled up their sleeves to volunteer and checked on their neighbors.
While the impact of this fire is not as wide-spread or as disastrous as other devastating events in the Hills in recent years, there are still simple things we can do to help.
The Stirling community might not need us to help rebuild fences or plant trees – like many people did in the wake of recent bushfires – but they do need customers.
So next time you’re planning coffee with a friend, why not meet at Stirling, wander through the local boutique stores and grab some groceries while you’re there?
Or if you’re planning a night out, why not book a table at a Stirling restaurant and have a drink at a local wine bar?
There’s still plenty on offer in Stirling and community support might be the difference between some businesses staying afloat or closing for good.
