While tough conditions have seen many Wagga businesses forced to close their doors this year, there is a new business in town determined to change the pace.
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Ladies fashion retailer The Laboratory opened on Baylis Street on Thursday morning, and enjoyed a strong number of interested shoppers on day one.
Despite the challenging business climate they are emerging in, store manager Carol Hill said she and the team felt very positive about the launch.
“The brand comes from Victoria, and we have stores in Geelong, Torquay, Melbourne, Port Macquarie, and we’re opening up in Orange, too,” Ms Hill said.
“When our owner Ben Bowen looked at Wagga, he didn’t see all that negativity – what he looked at was the scope of the main street.”
Ms Hill is no stranger to retail in Wagga, having managed Thomas Jewelers just a short way down Baylis Street for 14 years until they shut up shop earlier this year.
While she well and truly understands the challenges of managing a business in Wagga, Ms Hill is confident The Laboratory has what it takes to succeed.
“We provide unique contemporary fashion for our ageless customer,” she said.
“We’re also stocking an ethical brand called Torju, which is ethical and sustainable from go to woe – the packaging, the processes, and they don’t use any chemicals.”