APPLEBOX Newsletter

Dear APPLEBOX member,

To quote from our blog... "APPLEBOX opened it’s doors to the world at 10:00am, Saturday 15th September 2007". It seems like yesterday when we took a deep breath and set an opening date!

Our First Birthday Party

What an amazing turn out for the birthday bash. Great to see so many of you braving the cold. Thanks for your birthday wishes and we look forward to many more! Congrats to our competition winners... you can still see the talented art work hanging in the Bean Counter, newNorth Printing and APPLEBOX. We've got plenty of photos and you can read about the night on our blog.

Bragging and Thanking

As you know we put out a nominations call for the Leader Business Awards recently. We were overwhelmed with the news that we are finalists in TWO categories – Best New Business and Best Specialty Retail Business. There are 5 finalists for each category. We are truly chuffed that you think so highly of us. Thank you and here's hoping we win win win (Sarah quite likes doing that). We'll find out on October the 8th and let everyone know if it's commiserations or congratulations!

September Movie Club

Movie club is THIS TUESDAY and our movie is Lars and the Real Girl. This is a gem of a film about community - just what we like. Don't forget:

· Tuesday 2nd September
· Everest Wine Bar
· 7pm

If you're interested email Tamara at mara@applebox.com.au

Movie Shoot on the Streets

Many of you did a double take recently when you saw a film crew on the streets and looking more closely saw a number of customers behind the equipment and ... yep that’s right... Simon with a boom mic in his hand, Sarah with gaffa and Tamara in front of the camera!!

We are making a short film, a comedic love story about a gal who works at APPLEBOX and a guy who works at Video Crazy. Can they cross the divide and reconcile their differences? You’ll have to wait and see!! Coming soon to your in-box.

Big big thanks to writer/director Nigel Karikari and our cast and crew. Nigel and Olivia are the creative talent behind THIRDROW films and avid APPLEBOX fans. The generosity and creative talent in our membership and this neighbourhood just keeps rolling on!!

APPLEBOX employee caught with incriminating evidence!

See who and what. Do you think the punishment befits the crime? We think he was having too much fun. After all, he has had a year to dispose of it. Hmmm...

Exciting Times

We are often asked if we are part of a chain or franchise - No! We are a small bootstrapped business doing what our competitors should have done years ago. It’s SO obvious that just one APPLEBOX store just isn’t enough for Melbourne! Fairfield is our flagship store, the first of it’s kind, and as locals we are thrilled we could start it in our 'hood.

We are now fundraising for expansion. If you would like information or know someone who may be interested in investing in a dynamic business and team please contact simon or sarah via simon@applebox.com.au.

Spring in APPLEBOX

So you made it through winter.. thank goodness it’s over. In keeping with the whole spring rebirth thing we are trying a few new things in-store to see if you like them.

Home Delivery. Finally we're going to trial it. By hook or by crook on Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th of September you can be REALLY lazy! More details closer to the date.
Drinks. We bought a fridge and you can now buy a range of Phoenix. We'll be stocking Organic Cola, Ginger Beer, Lemonade, Lemon Lime and Bitters, Honey Cola and we're working on the freezer for ice cream.
Gecko Gear. Gecko are local Thornbury guys who do iPod accessories at great prices. We're trying a bin of their gear to see if it's popular .. let us know what you think!
3 - 4 - 10. OK so that’s not new but last school holidays we started the any 3 for $10 deal and it went down a treat, it’s still here and looks like it’s going to make it through. So mums and dads when you come to get the kids something for the holidays grab something for yourself.

Local News

Save Our Space

Anyone who has been involved in the Darebin Parklands masterplan changes now is the time to have your say. There is a deadline of Tuesday September 2nd (this Tuesday) to write to the Darebin Creek Management Committee in response to the latest offering. Write to peter@dcmc.org.au and send copies to your councillor. For more information email darebindogs@hotmail.com

Just Me and Yoko Ono

A recent convert to APPLEBOX is the talented Ahmarnya Price who will be exhibiting "Just Me and Yoko Ono", a handful of songs painted, drawn and collaged. The exhibition is at persquaremeter and opens on September 26, 6-8pm.

National Parking Day

From Parking to Park! September 19 is a global event where we all collaborate to temporarily transform parking spots into PARK(ing) spaces: temporary public parks. You can see more here http://parkingday.org/. Ring Darebin council on 8470 8357 if you're interested .. we're in - we've just got to work out which carpark space we're going to hijack!

Love Living Local

The Love Living Local campaign is still going strong. If you are interested in a Love Living Local sticker for your bin to help promote others to walk and think local we will have them in store next week.

It's nice to see the sun again,

Cheers from the APPLEBOX team!
Sarah, Simon, T'Mara and Andrew