KATHY Jones has described her recent decision to close down her Tea Gardens gift store Indigo Blue as "a wake up call for everybody".
She had been running the business for a decade and said in the last couple of years she had only just been breaking even.
Meetings were held last month by the Chamber of Commerce to discuss concerns held by business owners about the struggles they face, particularly during the off season. The Chamber of Commerce, which has in recent times lost many members, was set to have formed temporary management roles to be filled until their annual general meeting.
Mrs Jones said with Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest being so spread out it was difficult for businesses to thrive in the town. Her store, which is now closed, was located one street back from Marine Drive and the ferry wharf and said her main customers were visitors off the ferry. She said he business was better off when it was situated at Myall Quays Shopping Centre near Bilo but she left due to high rent.
"I'm not in their face at Bilo anymore," she said.
"The people at Myall Quays need to look at encouraging small business people to make a go."
Mrs Jones believes to succeed in retail these days there needs to be a constant stream of people looking in the window at what is available.
"Most people didn't even know what stock I had," she said.
Mrs Jones will keep her business name and said she would consider returning if the situation was to improve. She plans to take her dress making and design side of the business further by working from home. She will also sell her candles and soaps at the Myall Quays Markets.