Traders struggle over sign

JUNCTION Village shopping strip traders feel they are missing out on potential customers while Casey council takes its time to address their concerns.
A joint letter signed by all the traders was tabled at a Casey council meeting in January calling on officers to investigate the prospect of getting a more visible shopping centre sign along the South Gippsland Highway for passing traffic.
A row of shops including the milk bar and bottle shop, a butcher and hairdresser are located on a service lane off the South Gippsland Highway but are hidden from passing traffic by trees.
It was agreed at the January council meeting that a report would come back on the matter by the end of February, but Junction Village Milk Bar and Bottle Shop owner Joe Khoury said no action had been taken.
“No one from council has come out, no one has spoken to me and we have received nothing from them,” he said.
“Absolutely nothing has come of it yet.”
Mr Khoury said while the traders waited for action, they were missing out on customers.
“I wonder what they are doing and if they are taking our concerns seriously,” he said.
“If they can’t come up with anything, let me come up with something to help us traders in the village be exposed to passing trade.”
Mr Khoury, who has owned the milk bar for more than 20 years and recently opened up the bottle shop, said Junction Village was quite isolated.
“When I started the bottle shop a few months ago, everyone in the village said it was great and I have a great customer base from locals,” he said.
“But that by itself is not good enough.
“We want better signage on the highway to attract a bit of passing trade.
“We are struggling here.
“It’s only a small village and we need the help of the council as they have the resources to do it.”
City of Casey manager economic development David Wilkinson said that a report on the matter will be presented to the council in April.