With spring on the horizon, the popular port town is set to welcome three new stores to the CBD.

Surf, street and lifestyle shop The Passage will fill the town’s old post office on the corner of Sackville and Cox Streets.

Retail shop Penny and Reiby opened a new premise in Bank Street after the former jewellery store Luone relocated to a larger premise two doors further along the street.

Penny and Reiby owner Julia Allen said her previous location in the former ANZ bank site was too large for her needs describing her relocation as an exciting move.

Baleka Leather and Homewares will open in the former Belfast Emporium site on Bank Street in a fortnight after expanding its Warrnambool business to include a new Port Fairy retail space.

The owner Renyee Johnstone said It was an exciting move and they had already been made to feel welcome in the town.

The store changes follow restaurant moves including a mini-renovation for The Yellow House Cafe on Bank Street and the introduction of Matt Dempsey’s Gladioli Restaurant in the former Fenn Restaurant haunt at Seacombe House.

New owners have joined the Port Fairy business list taking over retail store Francis and Francis.

There has also been an application for a commercial business behind The Star of the West.

President of the Port Fairy Business Association Ken Brooks said weather changes reflected the way people interacted with shopping.

“There are no shops available now,” he said. “Anything in the CBD is almost one-out, one-in at the moment, it shows confidence has been restored.

“It also says something about how people like to interact in a close quarter.

“Port Fairy has a fantastic blend of coffee shops and retail stores during the day and then our restaurants take over at night. It’s all coming together really well.”

Mr Brookes hoped further development would increase the town’s business success.

“It’s exciting that Port Fairy’s visitors both day-trippers and overnight stayers, can be satisfied with what they’re getting. Everything they need is within walking distance and when the wharf opens we’ll have another area to enjoy.”