The Fairfield Local Government Area (LGA) was one of the first to be thrown into Sydney’s toughest lockdown when the current COVID-19 outbreak spread across the city.
Small businesses were some of the hardest hit and that includes Gabriel Violaris, who is the owner of Smart St Fish Market in downtown Fairfield.
Mr Violaris tells The Daily Telegraph that despite the lockdown, he’s decided to shake off the shutdown blues and make the best of a bad situation by not skimping on stock, even if trade is down.
According to The Daily Telegraph, turnover at Mr Violaris’ fish market in the first week of lockdown was 80 percent short of what it normally would be. During the second week, it was off by 70 percent and 50 percent since then.
“You are not going to make money now,” Mr Violaris told the Australian newspaper. “It’s about surviving… I believe that we shouldn’t give up. Soldier on.”
The Greek Australian adds that he’s avoided lay-offs, but his five part-timers are all on reduced hours.
“Everyone is earning a little bit,” Mr Violaris said. “It’s a chance for people to pay their bills.”
Source: The Daily Telegraph.
