Lilac is the newest addition to the Mulberry Group (Dessous, Hazel), who primarily source their ingredients from their agricultural farm on the outskirts of Geelong. Equal parts eclectic and stylish, Lilac sits in the bones of a warehouse glammed up with a floor-to-ceiling glass entrance, Persian rugs and dusty lavender couches. Wine bar enthusiasts can drop in on Good Friday and Easter Saturday from noon until late (note that it will be closed on Easter Sunday and Monday.)
For many of us, click and collect is only a slightly inconvenient concept that we’ve had to learn to live with during lockdown. But for our elderly community, those with pets or small children and people living with physical and mental disabilities, being able to meet your order at the door is a lifesaver while running errands.
That’s why Mel Ioannou decided to create Heydoor, an app that lets you browse businesses and their products, place an order and pick it up at the door without having to physically enter the building. As an example, this could aid someone with mobility issues who might struggle to enter a store if there are steps or obstacles in the way.
“I believe that everyone deserves to live life without restrictions and that they should not be held back by their abilities or health issues,” says Ioannou. “[We’re] providing a platform for everyone to get what they want, when they want.”
The way it works is simple: place your order, wait for a notification from the business that it’s ready for collection and then arrive and say “Heydoor” to collect your order. You'll be able to order items from restaurants, cafés, health and wellness shops and supermarkets, among other types of vendors.
There is a small service fee for the customers and for vendors but otherwise, the app takes zero commission making it a great way to support local businesses in the community especially during the pandemic. The service fees go towards maintaining the app as well as the planning of future events that Heydoor users can access, including community meetups and matchmaking events.
You can download the app here, and businesses can also sign up to be listed on the app here.