The businesses shaping Ballarat in 2023

With academic institutions, forward planning incentives like the Ballarat Western Employment Zone, strong community support and its close proximity to Melbourne, the city is welcoming new businesses keen to take up the opportunities.

Here are some of the businesses who opened their doors, expanded or celebrated milestones in 2023.

Country Road

Country Road Ballarat opens with plenty of the city's style

Collins Books

Collins Booksellers expansion revives old goldrush umbrella tale

Good Games

Hidden Sturt Street squash courts transformed into new battlegrounds

Wen and Ware Living

Beloved Ballarat store celebrates 21 years in the Bridge Ball

TK Maxx

TK Maxx officially opens in Ballarat

The Forge

Housey Housey closing, The Forge Pizzeria to expand

The Goods Shed Dining Hall

New foodie options at Ballarat's Goods Shed dining hall

City Oval Hotel

City Oval hotel re-opens under direction of region's hospitality giant

Sip Champagne Bar

New Sturt Street champagne bar opens

Saltbush Kitchen

Bushfoods back on show in a move adding to the city's destination shopping scene

Distillery Itinerant Spirits

Inside Ballarat's newest distillery and foodie experience

Grainery Lane

See inside Armstrong Street's ritzy new gin venue

Cattleya Thai

New Thai restaurant cafe brings taste from coast to city

Bagels and More

Slice of New York in new Sturt Street offering

Market Hotel

Take a look at this historic pub's next step amid market revival

Ferndale Foods

Look inside new Delacombe hub that can make 180 million snack bars a year

Kwik Kopy Ballarat

Printing trailblazer celebrates three decades with simple philosophy

Stewart's Bakery

Popular bakery's impending return

Stems Flower Market

How Stems flower farm is growing for the future

Upstate Ballarat

Take a sneak peek inside Ballarat's newest gym

Oz Tenpin

First look inside Oz Tenpin's new Norman Street venue