COVID prompts well-earned focus on creature comforts

Linda Bebbington of Urban Hen in Nambour ... “So many of my customers are redecorating and making their homes a haven.”

Linda Bebbington of Urban Hen in Nambour describes her first week in the business as “definitely an interesting time”, having taken over just four days before lockdown.

“I was open for four days, and then I had to shut the doors for a month,” said Linda. “Luckily this is a well established business in town, so I knew I had to be patient and wait things out. It also gave me the opportunity to put my own stamp on the place.”

Formerly Gifts of Love, the business has been trading for 25 years. “I have previously worked in Pharmacy, and then spent ten years at home raising my kids, but I always dreamed of having a business of my own like this,” she said. “I had held back because I thought that it may be too risky, but I couldn’t believe it when this business came up for sale. I decided to just go for it.”

Since the early stages of COVID, Linda has found that she has been incredibly well supported by locals. “But Nambour is just like that. People really look out for and support each other here,” she said. “Actually, I think that in these times, people are even more inclined to support small, locally owned businesses. It also helps to stock products that are unusual, unique and well priced.”

Renamed Urban Hen, the shop is packed with beautiful gifts and homewares that reflect Linda’s love of country, decorating and home making.

“Even as a little girl, I loved rearranging and decorating my room,” Linda said. “I would describe my style of products as ‘modern country’.”

“In a funny way, COVID seems to have encouraged people to reassess their homes and living spaces. So many of my customers are redecorating and making their homes a haven. I think that people are generally appreciating their living spaces and the importance of home and family. I also noticed that many of my customers have done wonderfully kind things, like putting together little care packages to send to family and friends in Melbourne. I guess that is the silver lining to the whole situation.”

• Urban Hen is in Nambour Plaza, Ann Street. Phone 5441 7575.