The Darlinghurst Business Partnership is bringing DoDarlo back for Christmas 2016. How does DoDarlo work?
DoDarlo basically morphs each time we do one. For the first one we gave out small grants, getting local businesses and creatives to do cool stuff/events/projects together. This Christmas, we got local artist Lister to do the art for an Xmas gift label sticker sheet. This sounds kinda naff when you say it, but they’re actually really cool and highly useful little buggers, ’cause it means you don’t have to buy Xmas cards, you can just slap one of our labels on your prezzie. So for once, you’re not limited to snowmen and reindeer. Our group, the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, is all about getting locals to engage with each other, because this is what makes the area interesting to travellers and visitors, so DoDarlo is quite a cool call to action.
Why is Lister such a great fit for DoDarlo?
Well, for one, he’s a local; his studio is in the area. I was already acquainted with Lister because the walls of my business, The Record Store, are DA-approved for street art and Lister has painted them a few times. We reached out to Lister and he was more than keen to do it.
What makes Darlinghurst such a vibrant place at this time of year?
All the crazy people! Seriously, in a city full of suit-wearing bankers and people talking real estate, the crazy artists’ hobo-chic that is Darlo is a welcome relief.
How important is it to the local economy that we do our Christmas shopping with neighbourhood businesses?
It’s really important that people shop local. Yes, things can be cheaper and easier online, but people really need to think about what kind of city they want to live in. People often complain of not being able to affect change in the world, but they fail to realise that every single time they choose to spend money they are making big waves. Every dollar that goes to an online drop-shipper is a dollar that robs local high streets of their vibrancy, it’s a dollar that doesn’t employ a local, it’s a dollar that leaves the community.
The problem is, in a world where people have less money than they would like, they often go for the cheapest option because the longer-term repercussions are not as stark as an empty wallet. But if you look as shopping local as a long-term investment in your hood, then maybe the satisfaction that brings is worth more than saving a few bucks.
What have you asked Santa to bring you this Christmas?
Santa knows to bring Stephan big Aussie reds and cognac.
[Stephan Gyory photo by Warren Rivas Photography]
DoDarlo Xmas 2016 takes place Saturday December 3 – Saturday December 24at various businesses in Darlinghurst. Head to the website dbp.org.au for more.
