By Chris Tabone
When you walk into a local shop you see the end result; the haircut, the coffee, the food, whatever it is you came in for. What you don’t see is the constant number-crunching going on behind the scenes.
Running a small business in 2026 is tough. Really tough.
In Footscray CBD we’re seeing more ‘For Lease’ signs popping up around us. Every one of those signs represents someone who had a crack, tried to build something, and couldn’t quite make it work.
For us, the two biggest costs are simple: rent and wages. They don’t care if it’s a quiet week or a rainy Tuesday. They’re due regardless.
On an average day in the shop, we need to do around 10–12 services just to cover wages. Then another four or five to cover the rent. That’s before electricity, insurance, EFTPOS fees, booking systems, cleaning products, supplies, all the little things that add up very quickly.
Before you know it, you’re halfway through the week and you’re just trying to break even. There are days where you genuinely think, “Is it even worth opening today?” And I know I’m not the only trader who feels that way sometimes.
Then there’s the no-shows. Someone books an appointment, we hold that time for them, and we turn other people away because that time slot is booked. Then they just don’t turn up. No call. No message. That one empty slot might not seem like much, but when margins are tight, it hurts. These are the parts people don’t usually see.
At the same time, I want to say this clearly, we are incredibly grateful for the customers who keep supporting us. Especially when the Footscray CBD isn’t always seen as the most attractive place to visit at the moment. We know what’s being said. We hear it every day in the chair.
That’s why we try to make the shop feel like a bit of a sanctuary. A place that’s calm, friendly and safe. Somewhere you can switch off for half an hour and not worry about what’s happening outside.
Small businesses aren’t just about transactions. They’re about connection, conversations, familiar faces. That’s what keeps many of us going.
But the reality is, goodwill alone doesn’t pay the rent. Right now, small businesses in Footscray genuinely need your support. If you can afford it in this climate, keep coming into the CBD. Keep booking your appointments, buying your coffee, treating yourself to a lunch, buying your produce from the market. A little bit each week helps more than people realise.
If we want new business owners to back Footscray, to invest their savings here and open something new, we need to show them this is a community that gets behind its traders. That there’s foot traffic. That people care.
I’ve been here five years now. It hasn’t been easy. To be honest, I’ve had to take on two other jobs just to keep everything afloat and make sure my family and mortgage are covered. After all the outgoings, the shop on its own isn’t enough.
That’s not a complaint, it’s just the reality.
But I stay because I feel the support. I feel the love from regulars. I feel proud to be part of this community. For now, I’m willing to do the extra hustle because I believe Footscray has good days ahead. I don’t want to walk away. I want to be here when it thrives again. I want to see empty shops filled and the Mall buzzing the way it should be.
Small businesses are a big part of what makes this suburb what it is. With continued support, we’ll keep showing up, opening the doors, and doing our bit.
And hopefully, together, we’ll see Footscray back to its best.
