“There are a lot of new businesses open in the Plaza, and a few new ones planned for the near future,” she said.

“There are always people who talk about the closed businesses, but just like any other retail and service precinct there are going to be

seasonal closures and people who just move on.”

According to Joanne, the main streets do look appealing, with upgraded footpaths and colourful wind spinners adding to the elegant strip shopping feel.

Over the past few years there has been money invested to upgrade Forsyth and Patterson Street.

Funding was sourced by Whyalla City Council through Planning SA to upgrade the Plaza, with $500,000 being a Places for People Grant, and a further $373,475 coming from council during 2006/2007 financial year.

The new paving and street -

scaping does not extend to Jamieson Street.

The City Plaza Traders also

invested money, and shop owners

purchased the wind spinners, flags and partially fund the Christmas decorations for the streets.

Owner of U-Pedal Cycles Jenny Odgers said the Plaza has never looked better.

“I wouldn’t have our business

anywhere else, Jack and I have been here for over eight years now and it was the best business move we ever made.”

Jenny said the plaza is unique, providing services, trades and specialty shops you don’t find anywhere else in the city.

There is still opportunity in the City Plaza for a menswear shop and perhaps a shoe store she added.

Liz Attard owns and runs Espresso Café, formerly Spaggs, and is

coordinator of the City Plaza Traders Association.

“This is the gateway to the city, there are good things happening out west but there are great things

happening here too,” she said.

“Developers have put their trust in the city, Mirambeena Estate is sold out and Seaview Estate is growing fast, the top of town is improving too.

“There are over 80 businesses here and as the economy picks up you can feel the changes happening, it is very exciting.”

Peter Garwood has owned and operated Trev’s records for more than 21 years, and loves the plaza.

“It is different to being in a shopping mall, here we are independent traders and, although we work together, we can set our own hours and generally help each other out,” he said.

“I run a specialty store, so of course the Plaza is the best location in Whyalla for that.”

When asked about his store frontage Mr Garwood said he would not be making any changes as he wanted to keep the original façade and

maintain it’s historic value.

Nick Petropoulos, who owns several shops in the City Plaza, has lived in Whyalla since 1986 and has such passion for the city that he considers himself a Whyallian first and an Australian second.

“You have to make things happen, there is no fast turnover if you want sustainability, but with effort things change,” he said.

“The main street may be a

little tired, but that happens over time when there have been landlords here for many years.

“With new people you get a fresher perspective, more energy and a positive

outlook for the future.”

Mr Petropoulos owns a strip of shops at the top of Patterson Street that extend around in to Jamieson Street.