{"id":244753,"date":"2019-09-21T16:58:38","date_gmt":"2019-09-21T06:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=244753"},"modified":"2020-07-16T16:30:34","modified_gmt":"2020-07-16T06:30:34","slug":"town-loses-one-store-gains-another","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/09\/21\/town-loses-one-store-gains-another\/","title":{"rendered":"Town Loses One Store, Gains Another"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Proston business owners Anita and Nick Blanch will be launching their latest venture on Thursday, September 26, and promise it will bring something unique to the South Burnett (Photo: Facebook)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September 21, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fans of Proston’s NB Inspirations Department Store were saddened last month when they learned the highly regarded nine-year-old business was closing down.<\/p>\n

With just a handful of businesses now trading in Blake Street, news of the closure cast a pall over the small town.<\/p>\n

But sorrow turned to delight this week when owners Nick and Anita Blanch announced they’ll be opening a newer, brighter business to take NB Inspirations’ place.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Their new business – like its predecessor – will be department store.<\/p>\n

But unlike NB Inspirations, the new shop will have just four sections: “The Anita Lauren Boutique”; “Play, Grow & Learn: Kids”; “Men\u2019s Trade, Surf, City & Country”; and a mystery fourth department that will be announced soon.<\/p>\n

The new store will also have a special display aimed at attracting local visitors and tourists that will be continually added to.<\/p>\n

“We are very committed to the South Burnett, and in particular, Proston,” Nick said.<\/p>\n

“So it’s been important we find a way to achieve our goal of assisting Proston’s revitalisation, but in a sustainable way from a business standpoint.<\/p>\n

“Despite many revisions, adaptations and efforts over the past nine years, we were unable to craft NB Inspirations into a truly sustainable operation.<\/p>\n

“So we made the very difficult decision to close the business.”<\/p>\n

Nick and Anita, who also operate Proston’s popular Jacaranda Tearooms, were one of the top four Queensland finalists in last year’s WFI Insurance Small Business Achiever Awards.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They are also board members of Proston Qld Ltd – the not-for-profit community group that recently acquired a block of shops in Blake Street.<\/p>\n

They said they wanted to make it clear they intended to stay in Proston, and remained committed to the town.<\/p>\n

But they hoped their new business will find its way to sustainability where NB Inspirations couldn’t.<\/p>\n

“We’re very excited about our new venture,” Nick said.<\/p>\n

“NB Department Store aims to redefine what a department store is, and create a unique attraction for Proston and our region.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The business’s mission statement says they will also aim to be “the most social-media friendly business” in the town.<\/p>\n

“We’re providing new splashes of information daily on our Facebook page (leading up to the opening) which has been really successful in creating a positive, exciting vibe,” Nick said.<\/p>\n

“This has been a very enjoyable experience for our loyal customers.”<\/p>\n

The couple also hope to encourage other entrepreneurs to invest in the town.<\/p>\n

“We truly believe this is the year Proston can begin to make massive steps towards its reinvention to ensure its future,” Nick said.<\/p>\n

“With many of the main street’s shops now owned by a local community group, and renovations taking place, Proston is ready to invite other entrepreneurs,” they said.<\/p>\n

NB Department Store will hold its grand opening at 9:30am on Thursday, September 26.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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