HIDDEN TREASURES
SUPPORT THE SMALL REGIONAL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS YEAR.
ACT Timber & Tailor
Wander down fashionable Lonsdale Street in Braddon and, along with crowd-pleasers like Sonoma bakery and Gelato Messina, you’ll discover a wonderful array of independent shops owned by Canberra creatives. Timber & Tailor is one example that’s well worth a look. Packed with beautiful wares by Australian-only artists and makers, it’s the ultimate place to find unique gifts. There’s a range of great books from authors such as Bruce Pascoe, Eleanor Ozich and Kara Rosenlund, plus interesting handmade jewellery and stationery. Ceramicist Milly Dent has been a long-time contributor to the store and jungle-inspired prints by artist Karina Jambrak have just landed and are proving very popular. The curation of lovely things at Timber & Tailor is the clever work of Belinda Burgess and her partner, Jochen Heinzmann, who is a designer. Jochen’s modern timber furniture is one of the feature collections in the store. Shop 67/30 Lonsdale St, Braddon, 0412 610 918, timberandtailor.com
NEW SOUTH WALES Merchant Campbell
In late 2019, Merchant Campbell moved from its original location — or “shoe box”, as owner Margot Shannon wryly recalls — to its freshly renovated premises up the road. The large, new space has plenty of car parking and is fronted by a beautiful solid pergola made from timber salvaged from an old bridge, with ornamental grapes planted at the base. “Before too long they’ll provide a canopy of lovely, dappled shade,” says Margot. Large picture windows face north to bring in optimal light and precious winter sun, and recycled building materials, plus drought-resistant plantings in the garden, reflect the store’s sustainable ethos. It’s not surprising that this new incarnation of Merchant Campbell has become a destination in itself, bringing countless decorators and daytrippers to historic Yass, keen to peruse unique furniture, textiles and homewares. “We carry products from Bookham, Muttama, Bondi, plus the Grampians and Quandialla, as well as goods we’ve imported directly from India, Thailand, Indonesia, Morocco and Vietnam,” she says. Margot’s buying trips twice a year allow her prices to remain reasonable, as there’s no middleman, and we all benefit from her expert eye for style and quality. “Our focus is always on the ethical, personal and handmade. We like to meet the makers themselves and know they’re being paid fairly, their workroom is safe and has no sweatshop or child labour,” she explains. Margot and her husband Chris live on a sheep property at Bookham where they proudly produce fine merino wool. Of their inspiring business partnership, Margot tells us “Chris is primarily the farmer and I’m primarily the importer and shopkeeper, but our roles overlap. Chris’ more than mine!” Visit the new store or shop online, and note the handy option to ship gifts directly — they arrive perfectly wrapped! 287 Comur St, Yass, (02) 6226 1240, merchantcampbell.com.au
Edited & Co
If you can possibly tear yourself away from all the fabulous food and wine, drop in on Edited & Co on your next visit to Mudgee. Owner Amanda White is expertly ushering Australian fashion labels, as well as brands from Paris, LA, London and Copenhagen, into this Central West town via her minimally styled store. She’s passionate about helping clients to create a workable wardrobe base with simple essentials, then injecting style with a selection of unique pieces — all of which you can find in her boutique. “Season after season, customers keep coming back to Jac + Jack for their silk and cashmere, Cable for knitwear and coats, Camilla for her eye-catching prints, Viktoria & Woods for incredible tailoring and natural fibres, Camilla and Marc for special occasions and Assembly Label for everyday basics,” says Amanda. You can also shop the complete range online. 28 Church St, Mudgee,
(02) 6372 3510, editedandco.com
QUEENSLAND Cooleebah Gifts
The tiny town of Julia Creek in the north-west of Queensland may only have a population of about 500, but that doesn’t stop Cooleebah Gifts from doing a roaring trade. Owners Fiona and Colin Malone say “It’s not >
This bright and breezy lifestyle store is adored for its modern coastal feel — so much so that its owner, Rebecca Feldman, has expanded twice in the past six years.
uncommon for us to post items all over Australia on a daily basis or to freight large furniture across the state.” Their repurposed furniture and their unique outback-inspired gifts strike a chord with many — be they locals or visiting travellers. Fiona and Colin grew up in the area and when they’re not at the shop, they’re out working their cattle and horses — a passion they share with their two sons, Cody and Clay. Fiona notes it is this outdoor lifestyle and the outback heritage that they draw upon when curating fresh products for the store (keep an eye out for their new outdoor range, including an array of rustic pots and urns). There’s also no shortage of country hospitality, either. “We pride ourselves on not just being a place of business but a warm, friendly environment where people feel welcome to just come and have a chat,” says Fiona. “That’s so important in a rural community, particularly after the prolonged drought and catastrophic flooding early last year”. 45 Burke St, Julia Creek, (07) 4746 7176.
Hampton & Harlow
After operating her homewares and furniture store, Hampton & Harlow, in Gympie for two years, Karen Robinson recognised an opportunity to expand into the equine fashion industry. As an avid horse enthusiast and mum of four children, her initial focus was on creating stain-resistant, tough jodhpurs for kids that could withstand hours of riding at pony club, and all the rough-and-tumble play that goes along with it. Her first collection was a sell-out and now, three years on, the Hampton & Harlow Equestrian label caters for the whole family with an extensive range of clothing and accessories for lifestyle, casual riding, competing, polo and polocrosse. Karen also assures us you don’t have to be on a horse, either — there are plenty of chic options for those of us on the sidelines, plus a selection of country workwear. You can shop the label at her Gympie stores, online and in stockists across the country. 66 Mary St, Gympie, (07) 5481 1846, hhequestrian.com.au
VICTORIA Frankie Say Relax
This bright and breezy lifestyle store is adored for its modern coastal feel — so much so that its owner, Rebecca Feldman, has expanded twice in the past six years, opening another two seaside locations, in both Torquay and Queenscliff, to complement her lovely Geelong flagship store. The interior designer and mum of four has a knack for sourcing homewares, furniture and gifts that are family-friendly. There’s a stable of great Australian brands like
The Commonfolk Collective candles, Robert Gordon ceramics, Be. bangles and Salus Body, plus some beautiful textiles and plenty of indoor plants for good measure. Upstairs at the Geelong store you’ll also find a print gallery with an amazing selection of unique, affordable art. 139–141 Shannon Ave, Manifold Heights, (03) 5222 4682, frankiesayrelax.com.au
Mika and Max Boutique
Meeniyan has always been a popular stopover for travellers making their way towards the picturesque Wilsons Promontory National Park (also known as ‘The Prom’) and the surrounding coastal areas of Sandy Point, Waratah Bay and Walkerville. Recently, the small country town in regional Victoria has become a tourist destination in its own right, known for excellent dining, retail and leisure options. New visitors also won’t miss the pretty Mika and Max Boutique, thanks to its charming good looks and welcoming pink door. The whitewashed weatherboard cottage is home to an expansive range of funky homewares and fun fashion options, and the pink accents are continued inside. You can shop activewear from Australian label PE Nation, basics by Assembly Label and Nobody Denim, plus browse a selection of bestselling Merry People gumboots. Colourful textiles from Sage and Clare, wall tiles by Ahoy Trader and kantha quilts from Garzie and May add to the relaxed feel. We recommend planning a stop in Meeniyan to visit this store on your next road trip, or shopping the range online. 134 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan, 0428 048 189, mikaandmax.com.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Ruby Square Boutique & Living
On any given morning in the lovely town of Loxton — about a three-hour drive from Adelaide — you’re likely to find a few faces sitting in the front window of Ruby Square Boutique & Living, enjoying a quiet coffee at the breakfast bar, looking out from under the old bull-nose verandah. You can hear the grind of Arrosto beans, roasted in nearby Renmark, and the sound of local Fleurieu Company milk being frothed. If that isn’t enough to draw your attention, perhaps the smell of Angela Nelson’s fresh cakes and muffins might. Tyla Nelson, Angela’s daughter, is the owner of the shop and she says her mum’s baking has been a huge part of the success of the small business, along with the açaí bowls, raw treats, fresh juices and smoothies. We think it’s also got something to do with Tyla’s stylish range of lifestyle books, clothing and prints on offer. Browse pretty pieces for your home
It’s not surprising that this new incarnation of Merchant Campbell has become a destination in itself, bringing countless decorators and daytrippers to historic Yass, keen to peruse unique furniture, textiles and homewares.
by Palm Beach Collection and The Commonfolk Collective, or shop baby gifts and essentials by Bubba Organics and Wilson & Frenchy.
24 East Tce, Loxton, (08) 8584 5760.
TASMANIA The Part Time Explorers
High school friends and kindred spirits Sarah Bird and Jo Ackland reconnected by chance. Having spent 30 years of respective adventuring around Australia and abroad — with time spent practicing yoga, surfing, travelling, writing songs and having their own families — it wasn’t until a serendipitous “Gumtree purchase of a Kathmandu puffy jacket” that they returned into one another’s orbit. Inseparable since that lucky chance encounter, the two have now merged their worlds into a tiny beach shack in Southport, the southernmost town in Tasmania, or as Jo quips “the bottom of the planet”. She describes how they have both cut their lives down to the basics, owning only those things that are “heirloom, beautiful or are functional” and draws that same connection to the art they now create together. Jo says she and Sarah, when not working, are “governed by the tides, and wander deserted beaches, foraging for sea pottery that’s been tumbling for a century or two on the ocean floor”. Jo often illustrates ships and compasses on the treasures she finds, along with creating the intricate fine art maps she’s become known for. Sarah draws birds and botanicals, as well as making jewellery and artistic sculptures from her collection of seaside discoveries. You can purchase their work, such as maps, sea pottery, jewellery and more online via The Part Time Explorers Etsy shop, or drop into the Craft Island store in Hobart. Ground Floor, 131 Macquarie St, Hobart, 0448 357 900, etsy.com/au/shop/theparttimeexplorers
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Newy’s Vegie Patch
The little town of Kirup, about 50 kilometres drive south-east of Bunbury, is home to a local favourite and a treat for travellers on the South Western Highway. What started more than a decade ago as a pop-up roadside stall is now a beloved fruit and vegie shop. Like something that you could find within a tiny European province, the entrance to the small market is lined with baskets overflowing with colourful fresh produce. While sweet, plump strawberries are the jewels in the Newy’s crown, you can’t go wrong with any of the veg or fruit here that has all been sourced from local farms and orchards. Inside the store, shelves are lined with honey, oil, coffee, organic meats and a range of dairy products from a nearby sheep farm, along with handmade soaps.
113 South Western Hwy, Kirup, (08) 9731 6609.