By Alesha Capone
The owners of a long-running Werribee fruit and vegetable shop are urging residents to support small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Priti Patel from Charlie’s Fruit Market said her store sold Australian-grown food, including produce supplied by farmers in Werribee South.
She said that Charlie’s was one of the oldest fruit markets in the western suburbs, and has been running for around 18 years.
Ms Patel said the shop, which has four full-time employees and two casual employees, has lost business since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“I know at this present time it’s convenient to go to the supermarkets as it’s a one-stop shop, but it’s the customers that keep us going and in jobs,” she said.
“Please support your local business.
“We also want to encourage our staff, who do a good job.”
Mrs Patel said Charlie’s was trying to keep its prices low during the pandemic, to give Werribee residents access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
“Unlike some of our competitors, we haven’t put our prices up,” she said.
“We’re not looking for a profit in this critical situation.”
Mrs Patel said she wanted to help the community during the pandemic, so has started making free deliveries to senior citizens who were regular customers before the pandemic began.
“They ring up, because they can’t leave the house, so we pack up the fruit and deliver it to them,” she said.
“I feel very good when people answer the door and are happy to see our van.”
