Chatterbox Marketplace has closed its Kiama shopfront, along with four other locations in NSW citing a difficult trading environment for its ethical, sustainable and handmade goods and gifts.

Founder Natasha Cuevas took to Instagram to announce the company’s closure, saying that the company had turned over close to $10 million in its four years of trading despite “fires, a pandemic, a war and ongoing economic struggle".

“Despite the team’s massive efforts to continue trading and supporting over 70 local small businesses and 20 plus staff over five locations, after four years of trading, we have not remained immune to the challenging times we have faced,” Natasha said.

The Bugle understands Natasha planned to sell the Chatterbox stores in Kiama and Nowra, but those plans were dashed two weeks ago. She also told The Illawarra Mercury she would pay all stall holders renting spaces in Chatterbox stores what they’re owed, and that all employees have been compensated.

The Kiama store was opened in 2021 at the start of a second lock down for the region, a difficult time for any business to start trading. Both the Kiama and Nowra stores are closed as of 1 June, but Chatterbox will sell its remaining stock from its Thirroul Plaza store between 3 and 10 June.

Chatterbox was approached for comment.