Meet the business women who have transformed Bundaberg’s Earl’s Court

A once lifeless laneway in the heart of the city has been transformed by a powerhouse group of eight entrepreneurs putting their own unique marks on the fashion and beauty scene. FULL DETAILS

A once lifeless laneway in the heart of the city has been transformed by a powerhouse group of entrepreneurs putting their own unique marks on the fashion and beauty scene.

The women behind Earl Court, commonly known as Earl’s Arcade in the heart of Bundaberg, have transformed the once lifeless space.

Among the eight business flourishing in the once empty laneway is Jamie Straker, who was just 19 years old when she owned and operated her first business, an espresso bar.

“I learned everything on the job,” said Ms Straker, who, at 27, is now the proud owner of La Sirena, an Australian focused boutique catering to women of all shapes and sizes.

Ms Straker opened the sustainable style house in 2020, and has watched Earl’s Arcade bloom into the female led powerhouse it is today.

Many of the storefronts were left empty after a popular cafe in the area moved locations, and remained so until earlier this year, now eight business are operating in the laneway.

La Sirena boutique has been in Earl’s Court since 2020. The Image Credit: Jamie Straker

Tayla Andrews owns the Brow Bar and has called Earl’s Court home for her small business since April of this year.

She said that the historic arcade, nestled between a couple of bustling cafes on Bourbong Street, has established itself as a “bit of a beauty hub” in Bundaberg.

“It flows really nicely,” she said, referencing all the driven women who occupy their own niche in the beauty space.

Whitney Jones who works as a Cosmetic Nurse in Earl’s Arcade said “making the decision to join the forces with all the successful women business owners in Earls Arcade has definitely been a great decision for myself”.

“Women empowering women to be the best version of themselves and supporting one another to succeed is something that doesn’t happen often enough...know without a doubt that if I ever have any doubts or concerns these beautiful women will be right there beside me every step of to way,” she said.

Tayla Andrews moved her business into Earl’s Arcade earlier this year and has loved the supportive female environment she gets to work in. Image credit: Jamie Straker

Amanda Gear and Stephanie Partridge have operated their hair and beauty salon from Earl Court for the past two years after moving from another one of Bundaberg’s laneways recently.

“Our clients really are like our family.”

This is a sentiment confirmed by one of their customers who gifted the pair a box of chocolates ahead of the festive season.

They said that having a female-oriented space was a great addition to Bundaberg, noting, “We don’t have many places like this in Bundaberg.”

Amanda Gear and Stephanie Patridge have carved out a home for their beauty salon in the arcade. Image credit: Jamie Straker

The impact of the women in Earl’s Arcade is clear.

Reniet Johnson is leading the charge for Bundaberg’s circular economy by investing in bespoke items from La Sirena and renting them out to women throughout the region under her business name Rentals by Reniet.

La Sirena is dedicated to celebrating Australian fashion houses and brands. Image credit: Jamie Straker.

In a full circle moment, Ms Straker said the name behind La Sirena paid homage to Vera Johnson, one of Bundaberg’s trailblazing women in business who also ran a fashion boutique in the same location in the 1950s called La Vera.

The message from the women at Earl’s Court is clear:

“It’s about women supporting women,” Ms Straker said.

Originally published as Meet the business women who have transformed Bundaberg’s Earl’s Court