Nolan’s Block emporium in Crows Nest opens, businesses include Myrtille, High Country Collective, The Potager

It’s been several months in the making, spearheaded by three local couples passionate about the northern Toowoomba region. Now a historical building has been transformed into an incredible emporium.

Eva Hall with Shrooms - mushrooms roasted in butter garlic - from the menu of European inspired bistro Myrtille at Nolan’s Block in Crows Nest. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After months of planning, rebuilding and revitalising, the first businesses have opened inside one of the region’s most exciting new food and shopping attractions.

The Nolan’s Block in Crows Nest, which has been a heritage-listed site for more than a century, has now hosted hundreds of patrons from across Queensland since opening on Good Friday.

The classic-style emporium, which was the brainchild of three local couples, includes the new Myrtille European-style bistro run by award-winning restaurateurs Amanda and Larry Hinds.

The pair joined forces with avocado growers Sally and Daryl Boardman as well as Anduramda Homestead owners Sandra and Andrew Jenner to invest hundreds of thousands into the building’s restoration.

Along with the bistro and attached pattiserie, the Nolan’s Block includes a potager (kitchen garden) run by Mrs Boardman and business partner Jodie Ryan, along with a homewares store owned by Mrs Jenner called High Country Collective.

Mrs Hinds said the response had been “incredible” and was delivering flow-on effects for Crows Nest.

“It was mind-blowingly incredible the support we received (for our first week),” she said.

“It was the same this weekend – we were sold out by 12pm yesterday in the patisserie, so it’s all hands at stations to meet the demand.

“Lots of people are in town, lots of visitors.

“Most of people are saying their trade is up, you can’t get a park in town, so Crows Nest is on fire at the moment.

“I heard a local food blogger say it’s the next foodie hot spot in Queensland.”

Oliver Hinds with delicious treats from patisserie My Little Blueberry at Nolan’s Block in Crows Nest. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Mrs Hinds said she was continuing her advocacy for local produce that she propagated at her previous restaurant Emeraude.

“There are all sorts of people on board locally, like butchers, the bakers and all the growers,” she said.

“We’ve got local figs, the most incredible local blueberries and raspberries – we’ve already been through 6kg of them each, you can’t get that sort of produce in the city.

“It’s almost transporting people back in time a bit — we’ve got the service and wine and food you want to come back for.”

(From left) Amanda Hinds, Sandra Jenner and Sally Boardman. The historic Salt's Antiques building in Crows Nest to be converted into a modern day emporium. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Mrs Hinds said there were still four tenancies that were being fitted out over the coming weeks as part of a massive second stage.

“There’s a stage two happening out the back with the gardens,” she said.

“In two weeks’ time Blackbird Antiques comes on board and then we’ve got another shop coming in.”

Toowoomba sommelier Nivard Nelson, who had worked in Brisbane over the past seven years, joined the team at Myrtille Bistro after being convinced by Mrs Hinds.