Great cities have thriving and vibrant retail offerings. Here we've collated the city's best local and independent retailers for your easy browsing.
September 11, 2019
Habits
Buy less, get more – shop local!
Welcome to CityMag’s first Adelaide Local Shopping Guide.
While ‘shopping’ in 2019 often takes the form of the cardboard box Australia Post leaves on your doorstep, we’re pleased to report bricks and mortar retail is mounting a comeback in Adelaide with a renewed focus on great customer service, elegant shop fit outs and lovingly selected inventory.
With Instagram separating us into our homogenous bubbles of ‘likes,’ sometimes it’s hard for that adjacent brand or business to bust on through. The Adelaide Local Shopping Guide is our attempt to connect you with the best independent retailers in your immediate vicinity.
Great cities have great shopkeepers and we hope you’ll join us in shopping small and supporting the independents this spring.
AURA OBJECTS
☞ 99 Magill Road, Stepney, SA 5069
✆ 0430•234•413 –Instagram: @auraobjects
The New Works ‘core table lamp’ designed by Runa Klock ($435.00) is a great example of the authentic design pieces on show at Aura on Magill Road. This shop is proof that people with good taste live in Adelaide and that they open shops with beautifully curated inventory. Whether you’re looking for a single piece to modernise a room or needing to overhaul the whole place, Aura has everything you need (including expert advice).
BOTANICA BOUTIQUE
☞ 99 Magill Road, Stepney, SA 5069
✆ Instagram: @botanica.boutique
Sanctuary S ‘mini mossarium’ ($39.00, or $44.00 including moss) is always evolving its colour palette and materials – shown here is terracotta and claret. Designed in Adelaide, these mossariums fit in the palm of your hand and take the joy of gardening anywhere from desktop to bedside table, bathroom and beyond. Designed by Lesley Williams and shipped worldwide, these living keepsakes are an incredible demonstration of Adelaide’s maturing retail offering.
CHERRI BELLINI
☞ 240 Rundle Street, Adelaide SA 5000
✆ (08) 8232•2829 – Instagram: @cherribellini
These little Manu Mari ‘Stella’ numbers in rosa ($275.00) are the ideal heels for moving between work and party mode. Slung low and with a scrunchy band, their form and function do well to get you footloose and fancy free. Some less seasoned shoppers may not know that Cherri Bellini’s owner Rosemarie Farrugia works with suppliers in Italy directly to create each pair of shoes on her shelves, from textures and details to heel heights and materials – a pair of shoes from Cherri Bellini is unique to this Adelaide-based shop.
IMPRINTS BOOKSELLERS
☞ 107 Hindley Street, Adelaide SA 5000
✆ (08) 8231•4454 – Instagram: @imprintsbooksellers
In luminous prose, Ocean Vuong’s debut novel will break your heart. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous ($29.99) is a brave and tender coming-of-age story and a portrait of a family’s struggle for survival in a world of trauma.
After her impressive debut with the Tiger’s Wife, Téa Obreht returns with Inland ($32.99) – a subversive and original novel, blending folklore and reality, in a captivating re-imagining of the American West.
For the first time in English, Stalingrad ($55.00), Vasily Grossman’s prequel to Life and Fate, is destined to be considered one of the great 20th century novels. Written with great compassion and insight, this epic tale is told with such domestic detail. Grossman has written a requiem for the Russian people.
One book for every month of spring, Imprints has your seasonal reading list sorted.
JAMFACTORY
☞ 19 Morphett Street, Adelaide SA 5000
✆ (08) 8231•0005 – Instagram: @jamfactoryau
The ‘Good morning’ cup and mug, are both $50.00 each and are the most perfectly cheery way to begin your day. JamFactory are doing more homewares under the creative direction of Adelaide design duo Daniel Emma, and we love that our home looks nice now. These cups were originally commissioned by National Gallery of Victoria’s Design Store as an exclusive homewares collection inspired by morning rituals. Lucky for you they’re available to purchase in postcode 5000 too!
LIVING BY DESIGN
☞ 41 Kensington Road, Norwood SA 5067
✆ (08) 8431•9887 – Instagram: @livingby_design
The Philippe Starck – Juicy Salif lemon squeezer $115.00 is part artwork, part kitchen tool. Living By Design stocks many classic brands like Ittalla glassware and Alessi stainless steel and we’re very happy about that. This whole-of-home shop is unlike any retailer in the state as it commissions and designs its own unique furniture pieces, as well as importing the best names in global design to create a sophisticated, modern Australian household aesthetic.
LUCIA’S FINE FOODS
☞ Adelaide Central Market, ADL SA 5000
✆ (08) 8231•2260 – Instagram: @luciasfinefoods
New season olive oil available in 2L, 1L, and 250ml ($26.00–$6.90) is the best way to season your salad or crisp up your fried eggs on the weekend. Everything Lucia’s puts its name on is guaranteed to be delicious, but we can absolutely attest to this oil’s impact on the flavour profile of our own home cooking.
MIDWEST TRADER
☞ Shop 1, Ebenezer Place ADL SA 5000
✆ 0402•412•089 – Instagram: @midwesttrader
The 8111 Red Wing Amber Harness ‘Iron Ranger’ with Vibram sole ($POA) is stocked exclusively in SA at Midwest Trader. Midwest was a cornerstone of the East End’s redevelopment and their shop on Ebenezer Place is still one of the most unique and experiential in the state. These Red Wings are classic, built to last boots that will wear well and get better the longer you own them.
NICE PICKLES
☞ Lion Arts Factory ADL SA 5000
✆ 0401•244•653 – Instagram: @nicepickles
These ‘Jerk Beans’ ($12.00) by local briner Robbie Mather are sold around Australia and made right here on North Terrace. Probably the best pickle we’ve ever tried, this is the ideal present for that person who loves all things salty. What to dote on most with these crunchy cured green beans is difficult, but Gourmet Traveller says they’ve “changed the game.” We reckon they’re beyond exceptional, are dangerously addictive and fire up your mouth for more. Available from Lucia’s Fine Foods, Goodwood Cellars & Botega Rotolo.
R. McMAHON WATCHMAKERS
☞ 9/118 King William Street ADL SA 5000
✆ (08) 7225•7292 Instagram:
This Omega 1950s ‘Seamaster’ wristwatch ($2,350) has been carefully restored and comes with a two-year guarantee. A good timepiece can start a tradition in your family and a great conversation or two when you’re out and about in the city. Richard is a watchmaker with over 30 years experience and has the best view of Adelaide Town Hall’s clock you could imagine. His workshop is worth booking an appointment to visit alone.
OMMADE MEET THE MAKER
☞ Shop 52, Central Market Arcade 5000
✆ Instagram: @ommademeetthemaker
Find this incredible collection of local makers on the eastern side of the Central Markets. Featured is OmMade Eye Serum. WA Creation Studio ‘paper crane’ earrings and Katshedcrafts ceramic bowl. This collective of small brands is a refreshing take on the retail model and brings some of the finest handmade and ethically sourced products into the city.
NOWA THE LABEL
☞ Basement/21-23 Rundle Mall SA 5000
✆ Instagram: @nowa_thelabel
The ‘Roosevelt’ silk linen button-down blouse ($159.95) is a great expression of the quality and refinement of Nowa’s product line. Designed in Adelaide and made ethically, this brand is ace. Currently in the process of applying for a liquor license to host small product launches and the like. This (literally) underground store is pushing and developing its own scene and fashion formula, which feels totally fresh for Adelaide – check it out.
KIN STORIES
☞ Studio 410, Epworth Building ADL 5000
✆ Instagram: @kinstories_
The slow living collection of pure linens and earth-friendly products by Kin Stories is a wonderful place to start shopping if you’d like to reduce your consumption of plastics. The Pollen linen cushion cover in charcoal ($84.00) and Belgian cotton/ linen cushion cover in oyster ($60.00) are fine expressions of a global movement towards natural materials and ethical production practices. They’ll also look lush on your lounge! Founded by local designer Kiah Gardiner last year, Kin Stories designs home textiles and useful everyday items made from natural materials for all areas of the home, kitchen and bathroom. Everything is thoughtfully crafted, carefully sourced, and intended to last. We love that this store exists here in Adelaide!
Available from Kin Stories: Dustpan and wooden brush by Iris Hantverk • When a chore becomes a charm, we love this metal dustpan ($18.00) and brush by Iris Hantverk ($30.95)
Available from Kin Stories: White Soaps & Kin Stories tea towels • Handcrafted in South Australia this essential oil soap ($10.00) and natural linen tea towel ($19.00) are a good clean fun
Available from Kin Stories: Dish brush by Iris Hantverk • Removing plastic things from your kitchen has never looked more appealing ($29.00)
Available from Kin Stories: Kin Houses in oak • Now here’s what affordable housing looks like (S,M,L: $16.00-$20.00) the tiny house that fits in your pocket and looks cute on the nightstand
TWENTY FIFTY-TWO
☞ 2/17 Young Street, Adelaide SA 5000
✆ Instagram: @twentyfiftytwo
The Have A Good Time ‘Frame’ T-shirt ($70.00) says everything we want to about spring. Recently re-located from Hindley Street, 2052 has broadened its inventory to suit an increasingly unisex clientele. Once you notice this brand, you’ll see it popping up all over town on some very cool cats – it’s a strong aesthetic with a positive message. Do what the t-shirt says and we’ll all be better for it.
THE COMMONS
☞ 3/17 Young Street, Adelaide SA 5000
✆ Instagram: @commonscommonscommons
Discovering this ACNE STUDIOS ‘Blå Konst’ tote ($229) at The Commons was just the start. Brands like Comme des Garçons & Issey Miyake are lovingly exchanged here to give new life to high-end pieces. At the core of the SLOW FASHION movement, The Commons Studio and Exchange is a brilliant example of the entrepreneurial approach modern retailers are taking to the glut of ‘things’ online. Here’s a real shop, run by a passionate woman with exquisite taste. Go see Emily this weekend!
VAF RESEARCH
☞ 52/54 North Terrace, Kent Town 5067
✆ (08) 8363•9996 – Instagram: @vafresearch
The Meze ‘Audio 99 Classics’ walnut headphones (from $330.00) are sold by Adelaide’s premium speaker designer and manufacturers – VAF – so you know they’re going to be the ultimate ear accessories going.
Form and function collide in the elegant Rega ‘Planar 3’ record turntable starting at $549. VAF Research specialise in complete HiFi and home theatre systems, and bring in only the best global brands to compliment their Adelaide designed and made speaker systems. The warmth of vinyl and the clarity of VAF is an ideal pairing.
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