Adjusting to Social Distancing - Cadell Place and Meccanico
The northern end of Fitzmaurice Street has recently been revitalized by the Cadell Place development. Several businesses have opened in the precinct, including Meccanico Espresso + Wine, and locals have been re-engaging with the rejuvenated community space that saw ‘an old shed’ become Wagga’s newest marketplace.
Committee for Wagga caught up with members Cadell Place developer, Danny Russell, and Meccanico founder, Richard Moffatt to discuss how the new businesses are adapting to the recent COVID-19 trading regulations.
The Laneway at Cadell Place.
Reflecting on his initital visit to Cadell Place, Danny remarked, ‘All I could see was work, and hard work, but I could also see opportunity. Our drive to cultivate the potential of the site outweighed the work so we chased the challenge. It’s amazing to see the transformation.’
Since it opened in October 2019 Cadell Place has created a boutique marketplace bringing together numerous local businesses collaborating with and complimenting each other. But times have changed rapidly in the last month and, as the COVID-19 health crisis impacts on the retail and hospitality sectors, Danny has been inspired by the businesses operating in Cadell Place.
‘We are all in this together and it’s a tough time, but what’s stood out has been the creativity and motivation amongst the businesses at Cadell Place. They’ve had to make significant changes and they are looking to find ways to innovate and continue to attract business; we are seeing websites being created with new content and photos being uploaded daily.’
‘We want to see these people succeed and we will continue to support them. An initiative we’ve implemented across Cadell Place is offering our customers a free coffee when they spend $15 or more at one of our retail outlets. We are working with the restrictions, but instead of focussing on what we can’t do, we are focusing on what we can do to and what is achievable. We’ve seen The Huntress xx, Garden Art Creations and Meccanico really embrace this.’
‘Many businesses are facing challenges; in five or ten years of business you might face half the challenges these businesses have dealt with in the last month. They’ve been up and running for 5 minutes and they have had it all thrust upon them. These are new businesses; they are self-starters, they want to keep their doors open, and they are locals.’
Meccanico Espresso + Wine Bar
Meccanico Espresso + Wine
Founders of Meccanico, Richard Moffatt and Karl Hulford opened the wine and espresso last October. The first five months have been a great success however as the impacts of the COVDI-19 crisis hit the hospitality industry, Committee for Wagga caught up with Richard about the changes Meccanico is making to adapt to the new operating environment.
‘Meccanico is a business built on exceptional customer service and a high-quality product. As trading restrictions come into place our focus turned to finding new ways to continue to deliver both to our customers.’
Established as a dine in restaurant, Meccanico has embraced a ‘Take Our Restaurant Home’ style:
Grab and go options: ‘We have a display cabinet at the front of our shop filled with delicious grab and go options. When you come in for a takeaway coffee, you can pick up a cold meat or a cheese for the evening.’
Deli Style Packs: ‘Our customers can purchase great bottle of wine, with accompanying meats and cheeses, all prepared by our Chefs and ready to eat when you get home.’’
Delivery Service: Meccanico will commence deliveries this week, focusing on the lunch trade and servicing people at home and the workplace. ‘Our weekday delivery service can provide a coffee and pastry, a lunch or anything else from our takeaway menu.’
Homemade Pizza Kits: Inspired by Richard’s daughter Adelaide, Meccanico is introducing a take home pizza kit with the restaurant making the pizza bases. Chef Kyle will live stream a pizza class at 11am this Saturday for all the kids (and adults) at home. ‘It’s a fun thing for kids to be involved in.’
‘Babycinos are on the menu and we are offering free coffee grounds for your garden.’
Much of this was not in our business model, as we are focused on adult menu and drinks, but in this environment, you have to embrace what people need and want, so that’s what we are doing.’
Richard and Karl have been on the front foot since hospitality trading restrictions were announced. They approached local State Member, Dr Joe McGuire about changes to the liquor licencing laws, requesting businesses with significant funds ties up in wine on their shelves be permitted to sell that stock to customers to take home. ‘Joe responded the following day; he took our suggestion to the minister responsible and within about 1 week the laws were changed. We are now having to restock some of our wines because this has proved a success for our business.’
‘We’ve been very active on our social media; we are using it to let people know about the great products we offer and reminding people of the various ways in which they can support us.’
‘Three local businesses have bought vouchers for their staff. Some businesses are still going well and they’re aware the hospitality industry is hurting. We appreciate the community spirit those businesses have shown us.’
Meccanico’s decrease in trade varies, ‘we are down between 50% on a good day and 75% on a bad day. There just isn’t the foot traffic in the CBD but we are a bit of a destination for a takeaway coffee. Our coffee sales are similar to before, but our business model is not designed around a $4.10 takeaway coffee, it is built on dine in meals and people buying bottles of wine, the night trade accounts for the bulk of our trade and that’s what we have lost.’
Meccanico has let go of 4 full time and 11 casual staff. ‘It was devastating. Thankfully the recent Government package has resulted in us re-instating our full-time staff. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do the same for our casual staff as the allowance only applies to casual staff that have been employed in the business for 12 months or more, and we haven’t been open that long.’
‘At some stage this is going to pass and to have staff still engaged in the business will make it much easier when we can to get back to normal. Money aside, as a business owner, to keep those guys involved is a lifeline.’
‘We are adapting to what we can, people are still coming to us for our coffees and we are being creative and delivering other products to our customers that by and large people are interested in.’
Danny Russell has supported Committee for Wagga since 2011.
Meccanico joined Committee for Wagga in February 2020.
Cadell Place and Meccanico are providing regular updates for their customers on Facebook:
