Brick+Mortar Creative Retail Hub in Norwood providing a launching pad for local small businesses
A ONE-time senior citizens’ club in Adelaide’s east is an emerging destination for creativity. Here are some of the faces using the space to share their talents — from coffee making, to graphic design and jewellery.
A REVAMPED senior citizens club is fast becoming a top destination for the east’s creative community.
Almost two months after opening its doors, Brick+Mortar Creative Retail Hub, on George St, Norwood, has given up-and-coming artists and designers a launch pad to grow their ideas.
Business partners and friends Elizabeth Donaldson and Brigid Dighton transformed the former senior citizens club into the small business destination.
Local entrepreneurs, including jewellery makers, painters and artists, have flocked to fill the building’s retail spaces — many branching out from online sales for the first time. Some occupy short-term leases, while others stay for up to 12 months.
The hub also includes a permanent cafe, workshop and meeting spaces and free wi-fi.
Ms Donaldson says business is increasing as more people realise the importance of supporting local artists and designers.
Foot traffic also seems to be on the rise as its reputation spreads.
“I think there’s been a real upsurge in Adelaide with places that are multi-functional and that have various reasons to come and engage,” Ms Donaldson says
“We’ve gone from our launch date, to seeing our first month of residents complete their tenancy, some have moved on, some have stayed and some are coming back. We have had really great responses on sales and interest in those artists and designers’ work.
“We’ve found people that come in want to come back again and bring people they know, so we are watching that snowball, too.”
Ms Donaldson has enjoyed watching tenants get to know each other and collaborate. The hub is also fulfilling its purpose in providing a space for local creative businesses to launch their products, without high start-up costs.
“Everyone has worked together and become like a big family,” Ms Donaldson says.
The retail spaces are about 90 per cent booked until mid 2016, but applications are still being accepted.
Businesses at Brick+Mortar
BETH Newton Hand Made: Beth Newton’s father taught her how to make leather bags, belts and jewellery when she was young. She says moving into Brick+Mortar has given her brand much-needed exposure.
“It’s been really good for getting my name out there,” Ms Newton says.
“Being part of the community has been really cool, too, and meeting others who do creative things and it’s really encouraging to be part of this with other people.”
BRICK+Mortar Cafe barista David Thompson: Barista David Thompson started working at the creative hub when it opened. He enjoys the feel of working at a creative hub as opposed to a conventional cafe.
“I love the idea of being able to give local creatives an opportunity to show and sell their stuff without having to hire out their own shop front,” Mr Thompson says.
“You can see that over time more and more people will come and enjoy the space and use it to study and grab a coffee and things.”
TWEET Designs: Rebecca Bird hand crafts jewellery, predominantly with sterling silver. The jeweller of 12 years specialises in making timeless pieces.
She started her business in 2009, but never had her own shop. “I was selling things from my Facebook page and also at different art galleries and at markets,” Ms Bird says.
“This is my first real shop and this has been fantastic so far, especially being able to work and deal with customers by having that one-on-one chat with them.”
FLEECI: Owner and creator of Fleeci Lisa Butler creates and sews giftware from eco-friendly materials. Ms Butler, who shares a space with Tweet Designs, decided to take up residence at Brick+Mortar to collaborate and interact with other artists. “The opportunity to work collaboratively with others and a chance to be seen locally has been great,” Ms Butler says. “Having a space at Brick+Mortar has also helped with my exposure and being seen by people who may not normally see my products. My sales have boosted a bit compared with what they were working from home.”
DAYS of August: Marie-Pier Labelle created Days of August, a carbon-neutral jewellery label. She loves having a shop because it is easily accessible and helps grow her clientele base. “It was a bit of a test for me, being on my own in the space,” Ms Labelle says. “I’ll probably come back at the end of the year and share a space with another business because it’s a great way to gain a bit of exposure, but not have to be there all the time. It’s nice here that people can drop in and discover this new, wonderful concept and place.”
SALTED: Izzy Byrne and Clark Spendelow are aspiring graphic designers and artists. They explore and experiment using different mediums and techniques, including photography and drawings, to create skateboard designs. Ms Byrne says the hub has given them an opportunity to test the water with their brand and work from a retail space rather than from home. “It’s a very new brand and we have just turned our hobbies into a business and developing it,” Ms Byrne says. “Trying to do stuff in your room or your shed is so hard, so to have a space where you can set up when you’re just starting out and interact with other creative people is great.”