Owner of the Boss Shop in Mount Isa, Travis Crowther says his business is riding out the pandemic.
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Mr Crowther said his Camooweal St business, which advertises itself as a "one stop shop for all your industrial needs". was faring pretty well.
"We've probably seen a bit of a downturn in the walk in traffic but we've combatted that with a lot of email and phone enquiries," Mr Crowther said.
"We are still getting enquiries but getting them in a different way."
Mr Crowther said his business was a mix of trade and retail.
"If anything the retail side is increasing business as people have a bit of spare time and looking at doing renovations," he said.
"Business custom has dipped but they are doing more over the phone calls."
Mr Crowther said the pandemic had not changed too many practices at the shop though they had introduced social distancing and enforced hygiene measures such as sani wipes and hand cleaners at the counter.
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"Since the renovations we already had people spaced apart when at their desk so it's been business as usual," he said.
"A lot of people in Mount Isa, other than the caterers, who does retail to mining and rural industries is probably faring a lot better than unlucky people in those other industries."
Mr Crowther said they had action plans in place for the worst scenario but they haven't had to action them and none of his staff had to apply for Jobkeeper.
"The work for home wasn't available, we are still customer facing," he said.
Mr Crowther said his supply chain was relatively unaffected though there was some delay to freight due to the shortage of flights but they were keeping customers up to date when there are delays.
"As for suppliers, we've been doing a lot of Zoom meetings which are a good thing," he said.
"I find I'm communicating a lot more with suppliers, different buyer groups and agencies, sometimes you only saw them once a year and you had to remember who they were whereas now you are seeing them more regular."
Mr Crowther said he would like these virtual meetings to continue post-pandemic and not just to cut down on travel costs.
"Now everyone is set up to do it and is comfortable doing it, they'll do it more often," he said.
"You can do demos and a lot of other things," he said.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
