Suburban shopping…
I love my strip shopping centre.
Sure, there’s an odd mix of shops & businesses. I confess I’ve only been into the Aquarium once but it is nice to know that if I decide I do want a goldfish I don’t need to go to Shoppo. That place gives me a giant headache. I hate Coles & Safeway too. So many aisles, so many bulging shelves and yet only 2 choices of flour???
Wai & Rita are the Friendly Grocers. Their supermarket has only three aisles but the range is fabulous. Choices for everything. They carry a good range of organic bits and pieces and have plenty to cater for the Gluten Free too. When my babe’s were tiny I used to leave the capsule at the counter with Wai & Rita while I buzzed up & down the aisle and now Wai lets the kids scan the shopping.
Clem owns the fruitshop just as his dad did before him & probably just as his sons will after him. There’s always a happy mix of organic & non. They are always up for a chat & always offer to carry your shopping to your car.
A few years ago the butcher was taken over by Ralph & Anna. I’m “Kirst” at their place. They sell organic & biodynamic meats & we chat happily about the run and the kids. If Dave is working I can be assured of hearing about how terribly the Hawks are playing & whether or not Clarko should be sacked. I’m not really a follower of the Footy but he knows The Date is. He never forgets to ask about the run, the kids or The Date’s handicap.
Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.
All this loveliness & the added bonus of supporting my own community.
I’m a suburban local & I wouldn’t have it any other way.
PS: Yesterday’s soup was fabulous! The little guy said that each mouthful was just like a little corn explosion in his mouth. Too much Masterchef?
norbyah
736 days ago
i'm so with you koo. the idea that you feel comfortable and familiar in these places, and a great sense of community….you can't get that everywhere. it's what i miss most about not living in stanley anymore. i do try my best to get there as often as i can each week, so that those people in the fruit stand, at the coffee shop, and all the lovely market vendors still know me.
xo
n
Miss Amy
736 days ago
I love this too! My DP went into our old local corner shop the other day in Newport (we have moved now) and the owners bombarded him with questions of me, the "little princess" as they called her and were very excited to hear of our little man. Its nice to be remembered even after you leave! I also love my local butcher, the ladies sing along with DD and stare in awe at how that bump from my tummy is now a 19mth old toddler. Its lovely
Valerie
736 days ago
I live in the country — closest city is 70 00 people, the type of place where a lot of people could potentially know your name
but on the other hand it can be a pain when you have to be gluten-free (I am — are you ?) I guess you can't have it all !
Jennie
736 days ago
What a lovely post Kirsty!
Sue
736 days ago
What a lovely neighbourhood you live in. I guess we'd all love to be able to shop amongst friends.
I love your budding masterchef's comment. Too cute.
Tracey
736 days ago
I'm all for the local shops, it is rare for me to venture into a large supermarket chain these days. I thought shopping like this would cost more, and it probably does a little, but I gain so much more in getting to know my locals and having better quality produce
Liesl
736 days ago
Having just returned from the horror that we call Shoppo, I have to say I am mighty envious of your lovely strip shops!
katiecrackernuts
736 days ago
We have it all. A Thai restaurant, pharmacist, butcher, grocer, small IGA (like a corner store – four aisles), beautician, baker, hairdresser, small video shop, chicken shop, little burger place. Lovely. And a jeweller just moved in.
yardage girl
736 days ago
I hear ya! I love my strip shops too! Nic
Kerry
736 days ago
I long to live in a little town where there's no other option! Great post. Your little guy has good taste. I made chicken and corn soup the other night…nothing like a bit of comforting soup.
Nycole
736 days ago
Great post! I grew up in a small country town, worked at the local pharmacy when I was at high school, and got loads of congratulatory cards from our customers when I finished Year 12. Moving to the city it took me a while to realise that same community is there, you just have to find it!
Cathy {tinniegirl}
736 days ago
I just had that same conversation with someone at the bakery today. I love living local. It makes me happy.
You know there's a theory called the 'triangle of happiness' or something like that. It says that the people who are the most satisfied in life are those who have the smallest distances between home, work and groceries, and therefore live within a small triangle for the essential elements of their lives. The bigger your triangle gets, the less satisfied you are likely to be.
It doesn't factor in the extra element of people knowing you by name and taking an interest in your life.
Stacey
736 days ago
We too have a lovely set of strip shops, only two hundred metres or so from our front gate.
These days every second store seems to be a cafe, and the fruit shop is now a charcoal chicken shop, but I do love it and try to support it as much as I can.
Your post reminds me how much I love mine.
Swirlyarts
736 days ago
We love our local bakers. I tend to buy all my bread from there (when we aren't making our own) and the owners and girls behind the counter know me and the girls now and always give the girls a free mini loaf of bread when we go in and even if I try and pay for it they won't let me
CurlyPops
736 days ago
I got all inspired when I headed down to the local shopping strip thisafternoon after reading this…. and even found myself a new suprise. I'm hoping that it ends up being something I'm wishing for.
Kate
736 days ago
Absolutely!
That's one of my top reasons for living in a small town. That's also why we decided to open a farm gate stall. Our customers know our names and know exactely where their fruit, veg and eggs come from. We know lots about them including what they're cooking for dinner.
Kylie
736 days ago
Gorgeous post Kirsty. You wouldn't believe it but we had this kind of community when we lived in London, far more than here anyway… Funny really. I guessed it all depends on who makes up your community more than where you are, which I think is pretty much what you are saying too
Thanks for sharing this – just loved it. Kx
Deepika Choudhary
736 days ago
I like aquirium so much but i have no space in my home for that
.
lisa stubbs
735 days ago
what a lovely post!
Rachel
735 days ago
I agree wholeheartedly, we shop in Marrickville in Sydney. Even though it is such a busy place our chemist remembers our names, kids names, and regular prescriptions. It makes such a difference. Your area sounds lovely!
Becky
735 days ago
I love being part of a small community like that. My librarian runs out onto the street to holler if my book has come in and she sees me walking past.
Emma
734 days ago
This has been added to my list of reasons to move to Aus! I've lived in a village for 6 years and knew no-one. I've lived in a small city for a year and know very few. I think the butcher recognises me, but only because I ask for meat to make sausages which is a bit different to everyone else. The lady at the deli might recognise me but I can't be sure… no-one wants to make convo. The people at the mini mart (Sainsbury's Local) say hello because they're trained to, but no-one asks how you are… the queue is always too long to chat. I saw someone from school in there recently but she wasn't stopping to chat either…. is it me? They say it's more friendly ooop North.. bah, I think London is friendlier than York! Please tell me Aus is a better place – it certainly sounds like it.
Libster
725 days ago
OMG I grew up with this very local strip of shops!! As soon as I saw the names I knew exactly who and where you were talking about. clem still looks after my mum and will pick her fruit and veg and deliver to her, along with her groceries from Wai and her meat from the biodynamic meat place. They have been wonderful to her while she was unable to shop while her leg wasnt user friendly.
I still steal grapes from Clem lol