Love Freo

Check out The Archive on Market Street for boutique fashion brands and great bargains – recycled and new:

The Archive is a brand spanking new boutique in Fremantle and in my opinion, has the potential to be one of Fremantle’s best fashion stores. True to their name, the shop is an archive of used clothing. But don’t expect grubby Supre tanks or granny’s nighty. I’ve found Manning Cartell here for $59, Marc Jacobs shoes for $79, denim cut offs by Friend of Mine for an insane $59 and similarly priced designer ware. Are they insane or just generous? Who cares. Designer ware for mass-manufactured prices. Not complaining! (Camilla P, East Fremantle, Review on Yelp)

The Archive
23 Market Street, Fremantle
08 9431 7615
info@thearchive.com.au

Galati & Sons, the iconic grocery store on Wray Avenue, was rocking this morning. At 10am this morning the enormous Auricchio Provolone was released from its chains and Galati got down to business cutting that monster up.

We got there about 11am and no joke we could smell the cheese from about 100 metres down the road before we reached the supermarket. The whole store was buzzing with people tasting cheese, buying cheese, talking about cheese. It was impressive after just one hour there was about one third of it left and two burly men were still slicing massive chunks off the remaining piece.

If you’re in the area stop by and grab a piece: ideal for an aperitif, grated on pasta or shaved on fresh carpaccio so I’m told.

The Growers’ Green Farmer’s Market at South Freo High on Lefroy Road has a new website. That’s handy, if you’d like to find out more about the stall-holders or when the market re-opens after Christmas or any other hot market news. The last chance to get your fresh produce from the market for the holidays is their ‘drive-thru market’ this Saturday, 24 December, 8–10:30 am.

Last night Corner Store on South Terrace kept it’s doors open late for an evening soirée. They welcomed in locals (and non) to celebrate and break in its new Fremantle store. There was bubbles, a band and pizza which made the evening tick along very nicely indeed. I have a secret Santa present, amount other things, to buy this year and I think I’ll be heading back here.

147 South Terrace (Corner Price Street),
Fremantle 6160.
Ph: (08) 9336 3005
www.cornerstore.net.au

I was in Il Cibo last weekend for breakfast and noticed that they now have a home-wares department located up-stairs. It’s good to see new shops opening especially with so many closing down around town.

Il Cibo Home,
2 Market Street,
Fremantle WA 6160.

Ph: (08) 9433 4900

Snapshots from 'The Space'

After some badge-making at the Butchershop and before getting my favourite Sushi at the Woolstores I dropped into The Space, a place which is part of the Renew Fremantle program. This program is a great idea – empty retail spaces in Freo being used to showcase local arts and crafts. The Space is a cross between traditional op shop and funky craft space. It is a temporary space – you won’t find cool shop fittings or costly decor – but if you’re after something quirky, like a fruit bowl made from an old record, you’ll find it here.

If you’re keen you can get involved and join The Space‘s Craft Bar on Tuesday nights. To find out more or for bookings call Lynn on 0426 261 305.

The Space
Corner Point / Adelaide Street
Fremantle
Monday–Friday 10am–5pm
Saturday 10am–3pm

Love Freo is in love with the shiny badge making machine in Freo’s Butcher Shop. They have different sizes and different backs you can choose from for your very own badge design. The badge making itself is a simple but crafty process. Love Freo badges coming soon, I guess.

The Butcher Shop
Purveyors of Designer Produce and Art Materials
14B Point Street
Fremantle

Ph 08 6420 0902
Open 7 days

As announced in our second latest post, this weekend is ‘designer garage sale weekend’. It started tonight and is going all weekend. There’re some great bargains, designer pieces as well as quirky garage sale items. Thumbs up also for providing snacks & wine (we do like our Friday after work drink). When I left two musicians were setting up – nice touch.

This way

Busy start to the sale

This is pure silk

For sale - also a good spot for a little break

Something for the more unusual taste

Colourful homewares

Designer Garage Sale
14-16 January 2011
Friday 6–9pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am–5pm

Unit 5, 82–84 Stirling Highway
(entrance on the back of the building via carpark)
North Fremantle

This is a sale for bargainistas with an exclusive taste (just check the line-up!):

Love Freo dropped by the opening party of the new B&M store this evening. It was just a flying visit but long enough to check out it’s great collection of bite-size wares.

B&M opening bash

They have a full range of nicks and nacks, great stocking filler type things and bits and pieces you never knew you wanted, but actually do. I particularly liked the card cut-out reindeer heads that come in a choice of two sizes no less.

A wall of great things in small packages

B&M is a very welcome addition to the High Street, in the same sort of style as the equally groovy Remedy just up the road. Freo has come under a bit of stick in the press this week for having a below average shopping scene. I guess more shops like this will help to redress the balance, but that said, Fremantle isn’t so bad: Melbourne it may not be, but I still can’t think of a place in the Metro area I’d rather be pottering about on a Saturday afternoon.

Potions and lotions in B&M on the High Street

B&M is well worth checking out in the week running up to the wrapping event of the year, and if you can’t make it to the store check out their stylish website: www.bandmstore.com.au

B&M Store
49A High Street, Fremantle (West End)
08 9467 6347