The Courier newspaper and the Stirling Business Association (SBA) are calling on Hills residents to support Stirling – and you could be rewarded in the process.
In the wake of the devastating Stirling Village Mall fire, The Courier is partnering with 15 Stirling businesses to encourage residents from around the Hills and further afield to rediscover the town.
By shopping with the 15 participating stores and cafés, you could go into the draw to win a $500 hamper full of products and vouchers from local businesses.
Simply collect a loyalty card from any of the participating businesses (listed in the ads below) and make a purchase of $20 or more at any of those businesses before the end of winter to collect a stamp on your card.
Once you have collected 10 stamps, you can return your loyalty card, complete with your name and phone number, to any of the participating businesses or to The Courier office at Mt Barker to go into the draw to win the hamper.
SBA member Simon Jones said the association applauded The Courier for its “positive actions to support Stirling traders”.
“This competition will help to keep local residents focused on supporting their village and keeping all the traders going during this long downturn,” he said.
“Love the competition, love the village.”
Founded in 1854, Stirling quickly gained a reputation for its fertile landscape and cool climate and the town became the epicentre of a vibrant farming community, largely consisting of apple growers and market gardeners.
While time has changed the Stirling landscape, the village has retained its beauty and made a name for itself as a picturesque showcase of the traditional four seasons, with deciduous trees putting on a vibrant display every autumn.
In recent years, local businesses have tried to keep up in the face of a string of unprecedented challenges brought on by a pandemic, rising costs and – most recently – a devastating fire that destroyed one of the biggest supermarkets in the area in October last year.
But while the village mall has been destroyed, the town is still home to boutique stores selling handmade gifts, decorations, clothing, shoes, and jewellery, a green grocer packed with fresh produce, a pet shop with carefully curated necessities for your furry friend, day spas to help you unwind and a wide variety of cafes and restaurants.
So if you’re looking for a place to spend the day, to meet a friend or to find that special something for your special someone, this village should be your destination.
Stirling is also peppered with little alleyways with brightly painted murals and, on the fourth Sunday of the month, the town comes to life with a market, offering everything from fresh seasonal produce, homemade jams, baked goods and local wine to plants, cut flowers, handmade gifts and antiques.
SBA member Tim MacNamara is among the many local vendors who thinks he’s among the luckiest people in the world to be in Stirling.
“There’s nowhere else like it – it’s perfect,” Mr MacNamara said.
“It’s got something for everyone – it’s a great place to go with your family or your friends.”
The Rebuild Stirling promotion and competition will run until August 31.
For more information, contact The Courier on 8391 1388.