Station Street IGA Plus Liquor — Local services in Melbourne

Hi IGA Fairfield,

I am a local customer that has been coming to your store for years. Going through your register today, I was shocked to see a sign stating the following;

“PLEASE DO NOT FEED OR GIVE YOUR MONEY TO THE LOITERERS SITTING OUTSIDE. THEY ARE NOT HOMELESS. THEY ARE USING YOUR MONEY TO BUY DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AND ARE CAUSING A NUISANCE FOR ALL CUSTOMERS AND STAFF THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. THEY ARE DRIVING AWAY CUSTOMERS AND SCARING SCHOOL CHILDREN. THE POLICE HAVE ADVISED US TO CREATE THIS SIGN AND ASK FOR YOUR HELP AS A COMMUNITY. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. PLEASE OFFER YOUR SUPPORT IN OTHER WAYS.”

The stigmatising language in this letter is extremely problematic and I urge you to reconsider displaying it. Those who choose to ask for money in a public space do so because they are being forced to live under the poverty line due to an underfunded and overly complicated/difficult social security system and/or because they are longing for a sense of community and connection, which they receive in the brief interactions and conversations that come with a passer-by giving them money or offering some other kind of material aid or support.

We have no way of knowing what someone will do with any money gifted to them; it’s a harmful stigma to assume it will be used for “drugs and alcohol”. And in the events that money gifted is used to purchase alcohol or other substances; this is a reflection of other adverse and intertwined experiences, such as poor mental health, homelessness, trauma, family violence etc. Addiction rarely stands on its own.

I’m really disappointed that a business that promotes such a community focus would display such a harmful message. I understand from the poster that Victorian Police requested you do this; please feel free to pass on this feedback to whoever...

Disgusting store owner with a foul attitude and terrible communication.

Local shopper of 5 years and won’t be back.

Followed me around the store staring at me.

When I asked what the problem was he pretended to be on the phone. Then when I asked to please stop following me he started to deny it saying he wasn’t, to then admitting 1 minute later that he follows all customers around store saying it’s my store I can follow who ever I wants, while raising his voice at me shaking his hands about. His whole body was shaking from rage (defensive for treating customers like thieves and being called out) He was unable to hold a ca civil discussion that he had to go and get another worker who looks like he’s been on steroids to pretend to hear me out ( while just staring at me until I left without saying a word) with a very thuggish manner.

Not only are the prices extremely steep but everything that is on sale tends to be spoiled goods.

So if you want to feel like a criminal when you aren’t one then I’d suggest to come to this iga.

I thought I was doing the right thing trying to support a local business but I think I’ll be going back to Cole’s and Woolies after this as it looks like small store owners are more worried about criminals...

Hi IGA Fairfield,

I am writing this review in support of your local community that include the ‘loiterers’ sitting outside your shops, that likely do not have access to the resources to take a public stand on your recent notice displayed at the registers.

“PLEASE DO NOT FEED OR GIVE YOUR MONEY TO THE LOITERERS SITTING OUTSIDE. THEY ARE NOT HOMELESS. THEY ARE USING YOUR MONEY TO BUY DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AND ARE CAUSING A NUISANCE FOR ALL CUSTOMERS AND STAFF THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. THEY ARE DRIVING AWAY CUSTOMERS AND SCARING SCHOOL CHILDREN. THE POLICE HAVE ADVISED US TO CREATE THIS SIGN AND ASK FOR YOUR HELP AS A COMMUNITY. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. PLEASE OFFER YOUR SUPPORT IN OTHER WAYS.

Perhaps a more helpful approach would be to list some of the ‘other ways’ that members of your community could benefit from assistance. Maybe sit down and ask what support would be helpful to them. Perhaps an employment opportunity? Perhaps some understanding that sustaining a job is not possible...