Byron Bay
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday June 18, 2009
Catering to celebrities, backpackers and well-heeled tourists, the town's shops are as eclectic as the clientele. 1 Red Ginger 2/111 Jonson Street, 6680 9779An intriguing mix of Asian supermarket, Chinese apothecary and Shanghai teahouse, Red Ginger's Macau-born owner has succeeded in bringing a piece of her homeland to Byron Bay. Selling a must-have selection of mah jong sets, children's Chinese New Year dragon hats (great for birthday parties), strong stripy bags made from shop awnings, authentic Thai curry pastes and Moroccan, Indian and Thai cookery books, locals drop in for green tea and yum cha before stampeding up the rest of the strip.2 Strangetrader Shop 4 Byron Arcade, 13 Lawson Street,6685 5888The brainchild of a former Sydney-based fashion stylist, Strangetrader is a treasure trove of one-off pieces. Think hand-dyed silk throws from Uzbekistan used to upholster chairs and couches, Cire Trudon "Roi Soleil" candles, with the woody fragrance of Chateau de Versailles floorboards and charm necklaces from Parisian label Shourouk. That's along with Missoni towels, Bensimon plimsolls and exquisite Mustafa necklaces made from semi-precious stones and braided silk.3 The Byron Bay Hat Co.4 Jonson Street, 6685 8357Hide from prying paparazzi lenses with a selection of velour visors, Helen Kaminski sun hats, Pete Doherty-style Akubra trilbies and ever-so-sophisticated Panama hats. If you want supermodel shade, pick up a squashy cowgirl Stetson, as championed by beach-loving body Elle Macpherson, before dropping into Byron institution Fresh, for a caffeine charge from an organic Toby's Estate latte.4 Cape Gallery 2 Lawson Street, 6685 7659A captivating mix of local art, craft and stationery including mixed media artworks by Christian Morrow and ceramic brooches and earrings by Marita Kohl. There are also Italian Moleskine notebooks, poetry books from the National Library of Australia, hand-stitched Amalfi leather diaries and bird gift tags from Cavallini & Co.5 Nami Clothing 4/8 Lawson Street, 6685 8081A haven for Australian labels, head here for Nicholas X Morley, Bec & Bridge, Shakuhachi and Flamingo Sands swimwear. Denim comes courtesy of Mavi and keep an eye out for the retro-style tees with kitten and flamingo transfers by Byron brand Wonder Twin. Nami's sister store, Love Child, in the nearby town of Mullumbimby, stocks baby labels Oobi and Rock Your Baby, along with Mink Pink and Ping Pong for grown-ups.6 Pompidou Shop 7, 15-19 Fletcher Street, 6680 7642Organic cotton tank dresses by Sydney northern beaches label Bassike are perfect for throwing over a bikini, cropped knits and camis come from Danish designer Marlene Birger, along with sass & bide denim shorts, Skin & Threads merino wool singlets and Thurley silk robes. Standout shoes include the Melissa & Vivienne Westwood rubber peep-toe pumps with plastic hearts and blue and black plastic flats.7 Haiku144 Jonson Street, 6680 7891Tucked away at the beginning of Byron's main strip, find your inner Zen at Haiku, a shop dedicated to Japanese art and homewares. Antique kimono stands exude Eastern style, wooden abacuses make original gifts for enlightened children, while wizened dolls' heads and calligraphy brush sets will please the discerning adult. Twice-weekly ink brush painting classes are held in-store should you decide to give up your day job and move to, ahem, Byron.8 Tiny PeopleShop 10, 15 Fletcher Street,Byron Bay, 6685 5797Deck out your toddler in the Trelise Cooper Kids' tutu and tights combo, look at teeny Bloch ballet flats that slip over newborns' toes and check out Paperwing military jackets that are the brainchild of a Byron hinterland designer. This children's boutique also stocks rabbit rucksacks by New York brand Dante Beatrix, block-printed cot sheets by DwellStudio and Gaia organic dresses and tees. For more organic baby goodies, head to Nature's Child at the Arts & Industry Estate, about four kilometres out of Byron Bay's town centre.Citrus the deli on Jonson 130 Jonson Street, 6680 7040At the quiet end of the main shopping strip, stop for a coffee at Citrus and be tempted by home-cooked goodies. The owners make a mean lunchtime salmon and green tea noodle salad and specialise in take-home meals such as Moroccan chicken tagine with preserved lemons.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald