Fitzroy Shopping

Over the past 25 years or so Brunswick Street has transgressed form a street of rag trade industries to that of a more fashionable shopping strip. Interestingly the old businesses of the so called rag trade, the last one closed it's doors in early 2003, were not necessarily low end of the market. Many of the few remaining in the past ten years were fine tailors and or leathersmiths etc. In the late 1980s there was a flutter of new enterprise, and quite an optimistic, creative burst of small boutiques. Some remain to this day, but this is also a bit of history now in a country that has stopped making things, but one which increased it's desire to comsume. Sharing the street alongside all those cafes and restaurants are so called boutiques, but much unlike the true thing as much stock is of imported and even mass produced product. This does not stop the hords of middle suburbanites cramming the streets of a weekend in search of something apparently different. As a fashion statement Brunswick Street has had its day, but still one can shop till one drops and many do!

What to buy: From good to bad and from cool to damb right embarrising there is something here for almost everyone. Unfortunately purchasing original art works by up comming designers and visual artist, photographers etc has been and gone. Althought there are a number of printed works establishments long established. Try the Australian Print Council at Gertrude and Gore Streets. The Fitzroy Nursery is a nice place to brouse about in also, while at Zetta Florence there is certain to be something there you've been looking for - perhaps an Intrepid Duck!.

What to pay: Bring your wallet recently fattened or better still that evil credid card and help bring down the banks, as you are going to have to cough up something.