Shopping precinct makes a comeback as a vibrant hub

A year ago the main street was lined with for lease signs, now the future looks bright for this inner Brisbane retail precinct bucking the trend for retail strips.

Lady Marmalade Cafe owner Sonja Searle and Our Stones Corner president Michael Weibler toast the switching on of the lights at Stones Corner. Picture: Brian Bennion

CONFIDENCE is returning to Stones Corner’s retail precinct with the council’s City of Lights project switched on and development projects opening.

Only a year ago the historic shopping precinct in Brisbane’s inner-south was struggling to survive with empty shops and for lease signs dominating the main street.

The Bower serviced office complex at the southern end of Logan Rd has created a new laneway retail precinct.

It has also opened extra retail space at the front with health centre City Cave and Xtend Barre fitness studio opening last week. A hairdresser will soon follow.

City Cave Stones Corner directors Amber and Ben Blair bring the health centre to the precinct.

Serviced offices have also opened in the newly redeveloped Salvos building.

New owners are believed to have taken on the closed Australian Institute of Applied Sciences student clinic building on Old Cleveland Rd while trendy music shop and cafe Stonehouse Music Supply and Ozwinds have added to the precinct’s music scene.

Major apartment projects are also expected to give the area a boost.

Councillor Fiona Cunningham (Coorparoo) officially switched on the light installation in front of the library last Wednesday.

“The lighting project, combined with the soon to be completed refurbishment of the Stones Corner Library will give this space a lift, create a gateway and draw even more visitors to Stones Corner, both day and night,” Cr Cunningham said.

Our Stones Corner president Michael Weibler said the lighting project and the upgrade to the library showcased the area, added more security and gave the precinct a point of difference.

Mr Weibler, who owns Books@Stones, said while all retail strips across the city were struggling, Stones Corner was returning to a vibrant precinct.

“We’ve been in this location for eight years and this is probably the highest occupancy we’ve had in that time,” he said.

“We are no different to any other strip; retail is doing it tough but we have a lot more service industry here now.”