A RETURN TO THE SUBURBS

WITH more people working from home, CBDs have emptied, putting the pressure on inner-city businesses that rely on midweek foot traffic.

On the flip side, however, this has created opportunities in the suburbs.

Protein smoothie shop Shakez, in Melbourne’s Armadale, has been booming as weekend customers now come in Monday to Friday.

Ash Sridhar (below with co-founder Natalia Moses) said more people had discovered the business once their movement was limited.

“They noticed their local area a bit more,” he said.

“People working from home come in, grab a shake and walk for 20 minutes – then go back home to work.

“Covid has been very unfortunate (in general), but it has been the other way around for us.”