By Oliver Lees
Kyneton Community House is encouraging residents of the shire to shop local this holiday season, with a nifty system designed to cut online order wait times.
Back for its second year, the KCH Marketplace allows local makers to sell their wares on a website set up and managed by the community house.
Residents can sign up to become an online stallholder, where their goods can be bought and collected from the Kyneton Community House on Mollison Street.
Last year the marketplace concept put more than $12,000 in the pockets of local makers, selling items as varied as bags, jewellery, wine, music and more.
Kyneton Community House team member Casey Grana said the initiative benefits both maker and the consumer.
“When everyone’s buying things online for the holidays, it can take a really long time for it to arrive,” Ms Grana said.
“But this way, people can support local businesses and can get their stuff on time.
“When people buy products they can nominate the day they want to come and then we have it already for them, like click and collect.
“Some of the makers we have aren’t great with the internet, so if they aren’t able to sell at the market, they can’t sell their stuff at all.”
Businesses have until October 28 to register as an online vendor.
Residents can begin shopping for local products from November 22 to December 8.
To register, visit: www.kchmarketplace.org.au/
To see sneak peeks of items on sale at the marketplace, follow the Instagram page: @kchmarketplace
