When Netti Vonthethoff was forced to call time on her beloved vintage shop April's Caravan in Civic a few weeks ago, she didn't anticipate the outpouring of support she would receive from Canberrans.
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People flooded into the little shop in Bailey's Corner Arcade for days, picking up a bargain at the closing down sale, telling Ms Vonthethoff about favourite items and sharing stories.
Now, thanks to them and new support from her landlords, Ms Vonthethoff will be able to reopen April's Caravan on Saturday.
It was not what Ms Vonthethoff expected would happen when she announced she would close her shop after struggling financially.
"Oh my God, it's amazing, we're still here," she said.
"It's not that I forgot, but I just didn't realise how many people had been out there and loved this place. It's only since it was posted on Facebook and then the story [in The Canberra Times]. I don't know how many thousands of people came through, saying 'I miss you.' It was a really beautiful experience to have."
Closing the store for what she thought would be the last time was an emotional experience for Ms Vonthethoff - she took a short break to recoup and then had a meeting with the building's owners, who offered her a deal that would help her reopen the shop and keep it running.
She says she had a long think about whether she would be able to do so.
"It was that support, knowing how many people came along and the beautiful messages they gave me. That was where I went, 'Yeah, you know what, I can keep going, how can you not?' The majority of it was that community love and support," she said.
Ms Vonthethoff started collecting vintage clothing as a teenager and April's Caravan grew out of her vast collection of retro pieces. She also works as a stylist and runs a caravan in The Hamlet in Braddon, called Miss Mae, selling milkshakes and desserts.
She said the combined efforts of her landlords and fellow Canberrans had saved a sinking ship.
April's Caravan will open for limited hours - from 10am to 2pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 3pm on Saturdays. Ms Vonthethoff remains realistic about the business - "It's never been that I make a lot of money doing this" - and will continue to run the shop as long as it's viable.
"I love it, I love that people love it. I think we can do it," she said.
April's Caravan reopens at 10am on Saturday, March 7. Bailey's Corner Arcade, Civic.
