“We had been tossing around the idea of opening a co-op up the coast from our businesses in the Shoalhaven, and at first thought about Wollongong or even Port Kembla, but in our travels found this building in Kiama – it was perfect,” Mrs McQuad said.

In less than a month the women have set up the Kiama Pop-Up Co-op, featuring an eclectic array of 15 small businesses and seven artists setting up their wares all under one roof.

“The site is ideally situated right across the road from the terrace houses and we feel that both the terraces and co-op can complement each other perfectly," Mrs McQuad said.

“It is a great way for people who might attend markets on a regular basis having somewhere else to showcase their goods, without the huge expense of setting up a shop.

“Each of the stall-holders is on a three-month lease and committed to being at the co-op at least one day a week, while we always have three people rostered on at the weekends, with all goods purchased through a central point in the shop.”

Emily Gough said the stall-holders help each other.

“We have a really nice vibe at the moment and everyone seems very happy with the way things shaping, while our customers are giving us some very positive feedback,” she said.

“Di and I are very different as we are different ages and see different aspects of how to run the co-op, and that is working very well.

“Overall we just hope it will become another drawcard for this beautiful town.”

The Kiama Pop-Up Co-Op is open from 10am to 4pm, seven days a week.