Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Ups & Downs

As 2012 winds to a close we can't say this year hasn't been without it's fair share of drama. The last few weeks especially have seen some rather full-on happenings - not least of which has been the destruction by fire of our  much beloved and much dependent upon dyehouse & heat setting company Bulace. This has been such a devastating blow to our already tiny industry - Bulace are one of the last remaining dyehouses in Australia who are able to process meterage and many local labels are dependent on their services.

We personally have used Bulace every single week of the last three years to heat set our fabric - not one metre of fabric has rolled off our table without passing through their hands. Of course we were shocked and devastated to hear the news, and it's only due to the generosity of another print house in Melbourne (Veronica Textiles) that we've managed to keep on trucking without too much delay. Of course we're all very hopeful that Bulace will get back on their feet and continue to be a crucial part of our local industry.

There has also been good news however. Last Tuesday, ourselves (and half of Kensington) caught the train in to Town Hall to sit in on a council meeting that would decide on the fate of our beloved Younghusband Wool Store - specifically a Planning Scheme Amendment to rezone our building from Industrial to Mixed Use so Younghusband could be gutted & 3 residential apartment towers built. Many people spoke up against the proposal, including Teegs, and we played this video produced (in less than a day) by the very talented Yong of Studio Limo (of course) and a little help from me:



And it is with very proud and relieved hearts that we can announce that council UNANIMOUSLY rejected & abandoned the proposal to rezone our building! This is fantastic news for Kensington and the greater creative community. Of course we don't know what the owners will do next, but for the time being we can all feel a little bit safer, hopeful and more confident about our future here. A very good Christmas present indeed :)

x Lara.

10 comments:

gen said...

Sooo thrilled to hear our beautiful YoungHusband is appreciated! Good for you all, you have put a smile on my face and a warm fuzzy in my heart with that news!

so sorry to hear of the fire though... ugh. The roller coaster of small business... hang on tight and look to the next thrilling "Wheeee" moment.

Unknown said...

Here's to a New Year and more adventures!

Thea said...

Loved the video. So glad you got to save your beautiful building.

Michelle said...

So so sorry to hear about Bulace. Hopefully they can rebuild and get back on their feet again.

But how wonderful about Younghusband! It would have been criminal to have altered that lovely old building. Your fight paid off!

girlfromtaupo said...

I am pleased things are improving for your business & wish you a prosperous 2012. Admire your work so much, I screen-print at home & am fresh out of Art school.

Anonymous said...

Hi
Horrible to hear about Bulace ... hopefully they can get their business back up and running soon.
I'm so glad that council listened to all of our voices and took notice of the submisssions we put in against the rezoning!
Happy Christmas, Regards Anne

Unknown said...

Sad news about Bulace, nice of Veronica Textiles to help out. Fab little video and great news about the Younghusband victory. Have a wonderful, well earned break and looking forward to seeing what 2012 reveals for everyone.

Stitchybritt said...

You guys are awesome and so is Younghusband. When can I move in? : )

Lauren said...

Brilliant news about your Young Husband! So sad to hear about Bulace though :( I bet many were devastated.
I hope you all had a great Christmas x

Victoria said...

That is an incredible video - I am not from your side of town, I don't have my own business, but golly gosh I'm proud of all of you!