The businesses shaping Ballarat in 2023

From top left: City Oval Hotel, Upstate Gym, Country Road and Itinerant Distillery. Pictures: Lachlan Bence, Kate Healy and Adam Trafford.

From Silicon Valley-esque businesses to a foodie precinct Melbourne can be jealous of, Ballarat's business sector is thriving amid a population boom.

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.

Retailers

Country Road

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

Customers at the official opening of Country Road retail store on Sturt Street on October 13, 2023. Picture by Adam Trafford.

Collins Books

Collins Booksellers expansion revives old goldrush umbrella tale

Lyle and Tracey Willersdorf at the Collins Booksellers expansion on September 20, 2023. Picture by Kate Healy.

Good Games

Hidden Sturt Street squash courts transformed into new battlegrounds

Damian Noonen, store manager and Shane Fowler, owner, at Good Games on August 31, 2023. Picture by Kate Healy.

Wen and Ware Living

Beloved Ballarat store celebrates 21 years in the Bridge Ball

Wendy McLachlan and her team, celebrating 21 years in the Bridge Mall on November 1, 2023. Picture by Lachlan Bence.

TK Maxx

TK Maxx officially opens in Ballarat

Retailer TK Maxx opened in the Wendouree Homemaker Centre on Thursday, November 16, 2023. Picture by Lachlan Bence.

Hospitality

The Forge

Housey Housey closing, The Forge Pizzeria to expand

Tim Matthews outside The Forge Pizzeria. Picture by Lachlan Bence.

The Goods Shed Dining Hall

New foodie options at Ballarat's Goods Shed dining hall

Dining at The Goods Shed. Picture by Kate Healy.

City Oval Hotel

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

City Oval Hotel new owners Patrick Glenane and Eloise Glenane on September 14, 2023. Picture by Lachlan Bence.

Sip Champagne Bar

New Sturt Street champagne bar opens

Sip Champagne Bar operator Lauren Irwin, on October 27, 2023. Picture by Lachlan Bence.

Saltbush Kitchen

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

Brigid Corcoran at Saltbush, which Saltbush is opening a new store. Picture by Kate Healy.

Distillery Itinerant Spirits

Inside Ballarat's newest distillery and foodie experience

Co-founders Craig Ryan and Brad Wilson at the official opening of Itinerant Spirits Distillery located at The Goods Shed on October 9, 2023. Picture by Adam Trafford.

Grainery Lane

See inside Armstrong Street's ritzy new gin venue

New distillery and cocktail bar Grainery Lane officially opens on Armstrong Street, on August 22, 2023. Picture by Adam Trafford.

Cattleya Thai

New Thai restaurant cafe brings taste from coast to city

Owners Alex and Katie Potikul at the new Cattleya Thai restaurant in Mair Street on June 8, 2023. Picture by Lachlan Bence.

Bagels and More

Slice of New York in new Sturt Street offering

Jamil Mansour and Milia Mansour, owners of Bagels and More on Sturt Street. Picture by Kate Healy.

Market Hotel

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

The Market Hotel co-owner Melanie Robertson, in March 2023. Picture by Kate Healy.

Manufacturing

Ferndale Foods

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

Leigh Edwards, chief executive officer at Ferndale Foods Australia after a $20 million investment at their Delacombe facility in August 2023. Picture by Kate Healy.

Goods and services

Kwik Kopy Ballarat

Printing trailblazer celebrates three decades with simple philosophy

Stewart Hynes, owner of Kwik Kopy, which celebrated 30 years in Ballarat in 2023. Picture by Adam Trafford.

Stewart's Bakery

Popular bakery's impending return

Stewart's Bakery reopens in February 2023. Toby Watson, Archie Stewart, Isaac Stewart, Courtney Sheridan, Charlee Watson, Victoria Stewart, Stacey Watson, Mattheu Watson, Margaret Stewart and Noel Stewart. Picture by Lachlan Bence.

Stems Flower Market

How Stems flower farm is growing for the future