Cheers To Your Local is an online store selling pub-related merchandise and donating all proceeds to support hospitality workers across the country.
Business partners Shannon and Michael Dennehy have begun selling branded men’s and women’s t-shirts and accessories under their self-defining label ‘Cheers To Your Local’.
The initiative was spawned from firsthand experience of the community pub spirit during Australia’s black summer.
“My partner and I were visiting the NSW South Coast when the recent bushfires struck,” recalls Michael.
“Amongst the panic, we all congregated at the local pub, where staff were providing updates to all the patrons and serving drinks, and we felt a real a sense of community support.
“It showed us the importance of these venues, and more importantly, the people that work in them.”
More recently forced to stay away as all pubs across Australia shut in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pair began thinking how they could repay some of the good will they appreciated in public houses, and committed to launching a website and social platform to raise funds.
“With all the pubs now closed, it really brought home to us how much we enjoy coming together with friends and family at our local pubs, clubs and bars.
“We wanted to show our support by setting up our website to help these workers who are currently struggling.”
The site has been online now for two weeks, and already enjoying custom from around Australia. After deliberating over the best method to get monies to struggling workers they decided to sell the products directly from the site, and every few months reconcile nominated venues and distribute the cash.
“For us, we just want to be able to support our locals and their staff. We think it would be a nice surprise for a pub to receive $100 to give to their staff!”
Venues can help promote the offering, inviting patrons to ‘support their local’ by wearing a t-shirt.
