Katoomba is dying out,” laments Rae Clinch, owner of Western Shoe Store in Katoomba. “I have had the business since 1979 and it has gradually been sliding down in recent years.
This is the quiet time of the year, but even the number of tourists is down,” she says.
Her family-oriented shoe store, stocking brands such as Salamander, Baxter, Cassini and Dunlop, leans more towards comfort than fashion.
“This town is dependent on tourists and when they are not coming, people here are out of work and don’t have any money to spare either. For me that means no tourists and no local customers.
“There is just not enough to lure them here. A few boutiques around the main street I’m sitting on as well, a Coles, a Kmart, that’s it.”
With large shopping centres in Lithgow and Penrith in close proximity, it seems store owners in this traditional Blue Mountains holiday destination are fighting an uphill battle.
In the current economic climate they have to take what they can get, or rather sell, which these days seems to be mainly the small stuff.
“Our bestsellers currently include Adventureline shirts retailing for $30,” says Glen Davidson, owner of Katoomba Workwear. “They are made of polyester but look like expensive wool.
“Another item that is going well are Bamboo socks for $14. They are very comfortable and people seem to like the sustainable idea behind them.”
Davidson’s boutique stocks brands such as Redback, Blundstone, Bisley, Yakka, King Gee, Gondwana, Rainbird, Adventureline, Thomas Cook and Bamboo Textiles.
This is an offer that sits well in the Blue Mountains area, with countless hiking tracks on the doorstep.
Nevertheless, the few businesses left in Katoomba are looking for ideas for how to breathe new life into their hometown, trying to make it worthwhile for locals and tourists alike to browse the picturesque streets.
Location: 100km west of Sydney
Population: around 8700
Brands: Salamander, Baxter, Cassini, Dunlop, Redback, Blundstone, Bisley, Yakka, King Gee, Gondwana, Rainbird, Adventureline, Thomas Cook and Bamboo Textiles.