When I was young, being the new kid in town generally got you beat up. Thus was sometimes a formal process, with the local bully stopping you on the school playground to establish dominance as soon as possible. Most times it worked, as that is what bullies are good at doing. In some cases that one time was all that was needed and the place settled down again as the pecking order was re-affirmed.
It might be the same with commercial premises - a new shop in town might be set upon by others in an effort to establish the old order - but the process would be different. I have read of new enterprises being afflicted with commercial complaint designed to shut them up. Other firms might engage in undercutting or try to prevent supply of a new shop by influencing wholesalers. Even the denial of permits and licences has been used.
But not with Perth. Not now - not in the face of empty premises and economic hardship. Not with projects virus-stalled on the top of money-squeezed. Opening a business in tough times is a tough call, and it says something good about those who do it.
Okay, enough philosophy.
Wanderlust has popped up at 675 Hay Street Mall and it is selling fun tech goods in time for the holiday season - at the start of a summer when we are still likely to be restricted to our local areas. People want presents - for themselves and others - and not everyone is happy shopping in the suburban mega-centres. This writer is one of them, though by now he knows how to snag a free parking spot at the local commercial pile and how to run the gauntlet of crowds to get in and get out with the goods. This experience was used as a benchmark when assessing the shopping experience of going to Wanderlust on their opening day - a Friday.
The entry to the city was easy - I live on a bus line that feeds to the Mandurah train line. I get a clean seat on the bus to the station - 4 minutes - and a clean train ride to Perth Underground station from there. Travelling after 10:00 in the morning and before 3:00 in the afternoon means the crowds of commuters are absent and seating is open. Score one for the experience.
Walking to
Wanderlust from the station is quick - I could also go to the CE shop in
Murray Street in the same length of time if my needs were more photographic and more extensive. In any case the access is good. With no parking meter or fees to pay, a good deal of money is freed up for actual shop purchases. And there is no time pressure to hurry back for a car. Score two for the experience.
There is food and drink on the way - and on the way back. If the drink is from a bar, there is no worry about driving the car immediately. Score three for the experience - and I can recommend the buffalo wings at the Aviary on Murray St/ William Street. It's the best use of the space since the old Bairds building...Score four for the experience.
I'm starting to love the city shopping - love it a lot. In comparison with trying to find a store that is on a one-way street, or surrounded by interminable roadworks, or with no parking anywhere - it is getting better and better. If I need to buy a Caterpillar tractor and drive it home, I may have to go to the suburbs to do it, but camera accessories from Murray Street, or fun presents at
Wanderlust, are looking better all the time.
