Darwin City shopping: Knuckey St revived with trio of new additions, including food and retail

One of Darwin City’s main thoroughfares has received a boost after two retailers and a restaurant locked in their new homes. See what’s in store for Darwinites.

One of Darwin’s main thoroughfares has received a boost after three vacant shopfronts secured tenants, reviving a shopping strip that had previously earnt the ire of one of the city’s top hospitality gurus.

Junoon Restaurant & Bar, House of Darwin and The Handmade Haven have each locked in homes on Knuckey St between Cavenagh and Smith streets.

Junoon, located at the former site of Good Thanks Burgers & Bar, is the brainchild of chef owner Kiran Dhakal, who moved to Darwin in 2014 from his native Nepal and worked his way up from dishwasher to executive chef.

Mr Dhakal, whose menu boasts contemporary Australian classics such as pumpkin risotto with burrata, barramundi ceviche and French trimmed lamb rack, said when the Good Thanks site came on market, he fell in love with the space.

Junoon Restaurant & Bar chef owner Kiran Dhakal (right) alongside customers at his new venue. Picture: Facebook

“I just wanted to do small, cosy venue where people can come have good wine and good food,” he said.

Junoon, which opened for trade on July 8 and is open for dinner six nights a week, has been gradually growing in popularity as word-of-mouth spreads.

“We didn’t do any advertising, so honestly the first week was not that great, the second week we did a good number and third week even better,” Mr Dhakal said.

Junoon Restaurant & Bar chef owner Kiran Dhakal. Picture: Facebook

“Now people are getting to know us, we are getting locals and good reviews.”

Mr Dhakal said he plans to introduce a happy hour and commence lunch service on Fridays and Saturdays next month.

Next door to Junoon, at the former site of Stomp Shoes (which has relocated to Smith St), is The Handmade Haven, a hub for owner-operator Hannah Swales to display her handcrafted dolls and other wares from local creatives.

Junoon Restaurant & Bar, Knuckey St, Darwin City. Picture: Elise Graham

Ms Swales, an 11-year resident of Darwin, said Handmade Haven was the logical progression of her existing business, Suzie’s Sunshine Dolls.

“I’ve been operating Suzie’s Sunshine at markets for a couple of years now and with the success of that and the further development of my designs, I see this as the final piece of the puzzle,” Ms Swales said.

Ms Swales, who also recently purchased the annual Green Ant Craft Fair alongside her partner Matthew Simmonds, said her sustainable dolls, which are crocheted in the Japanese amigurumi style, can be made to any skin tone and hair colour.

Matthew Simmonds and Hannah Swales. Picture: Instagram

“I’m very big on the diversity and equality front,” she said.

Local makers who have found a place on Handmade Haven’s shelves include The Floral Sea Maid, The Springs Candles, DandiartAustralia, Kiara Jade Clay Designs, and Chiggy.

The final new Knuckey St entrant is popular clothing brand House of Darwin, a social enterprise founded by Shaun Edwards.

Suzie's Sunshine Dolls is a regular at markets across the Top End. Picture: Facebook

The store, currently located in Cavanagh Street’s Air Raid Arcade, is relocating to the former site of Delaneys Country and Western Store beside Camera House.

It’s understood the transition from Air Raid Arcade is expected to occur in late September, and the brand will use the larger retail space to offer additional adventure gear and apparel produced by other brands.

Earlier this year, Top End hospitality doyen Jason Hanna posted to social media about the dire state of Knuckey St, highlighting the swath of vacant shopfronts pock-marking the strip.

Since his post, Wincity Vintage has also moved into Knuckey St.

Originally published as Darwin City shopping: Knuckey St revived with trio of new additions, including food and retail