Mosaic reads the market and moves
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Tuesday, 14 August, 2001 - 22:00
AFTER just two years struggling to expand its business in Northbridge, Mosaic Books has relocated to Rokeby Road in Subiaco.
Mosaic Books owner Zish Ziembinski said when he and his wife decided to open a book store in Northbridge there were lots of opportunities and plans to develop inner city residential areas.
A combination of negative press about Northbridge and the slow pace of residential development in the area have hampered efforts to run a retail outlet, Mr Ziembinski says.
“Perth City Council were very difficult to deal with and not really on the same wavelength as retailers and, looking at the advertising, they were out of touch with public interest,” he said.
The IMAX development on Lake Street and a decision to move the carpark entrance to Roe Street negatively affected the foot traffic passing the book store and affected trade.
Since relocating to Subiaco Mr Ziembinski claims book sales have increased by 50
per cent a week in what traditionally is
the quietest time of the year for booksellers.
“And the figures last week were almost double,” Mr Ziembinski said.
“I’m very sorry… personally we put in a lot of work and we were very optimistic, but that was eroded and during the past 12 months it was harder and harder.
“If there was just another half dozen shops there it would make such a difference.”
Mr Ziembinski also is concerned the City of Perth didn’t do enough to encourage retailers to remain in Northbridge.
“I was led to believe the Perth City Council was interested in getting retail into the area, but nothing happened,” Mr Ziembinski said.
“When the car park (entrance) closed our sales dropped, and the Perth City Council wasn’t interested.”
Problems with parking and the construction of IMAX kept people away from the store and, although it developed a strong client list through people ordering books over the phone, the total sales didn’t warrant the significant investment.
“I’m disappointed and sad because I think Northbridge is potentially a wonderful place.”
Mosaic Books owner Zish Ziembinski said when he and his wife decided to open a book store in Northbridge there were lots of opportunities and plans to develop inner city residential areas.
A combination of negative press about Northbridge and the slow pace of residential development in the area have hampered efforts to run a retail outlet, Mr Ziembinski says.
“Perth City Council were very difficult to deal with and not really on the same wavelength as retailers and, looking at the advertising, they were out of touch with public interest,” he said.
The IMAX development on Lake Street and a decision to move the carpark entrance to Roe Street negatively affected the foot traffic passing the book store and affected trade.
Since relocating to Subiaco Mr Ziembinski claims book sales have increased by 50
per cent a week in what traditionally is
the quietest time of the year for booksellers.
“And the figures last week were almost double,” Mr Ziembinski said.
“I’m very sorry… personally we put in a lot of work and we were very optimistic, but that was eroded and during the past 12 months it was harder and harder.
“If there was just another half dozen shops there it would make such a difference.”
Mr Ziembinski also is concerned the City of Perth didn’t do enough to encourage retailers to remain in Northbridge.
“I was led to believe the Perth City Council was interested in getting retail into the area, but nothing happened,” Mr Ziembinski said.
“When the car park (entrance) closed our sales dropped, and the Perth City Council wasn’t interested.”
Problems with parking and the construction of IMAX kept people away from the store and, although it developed a strong client list through people ordering books over the phone, the total sales didn’t warrant the significant investment.
“I’m disappointed and sad because I think Northbridge is potentially a wonderful place.”