First shop off the rank is the lovely Zacalu Zoo brick and mortar shop in Kingscliff NSW. I first meet Chantal at a Sydney trade show at the start of year, since then I love getting phone calls or emails from her telling me how her customers love Knuffle Kid in her shop…. Everyone loves a bit of flattery, well this old goat certainly does!
SHOP TALK
How long have you been established? 1 year
Where did the name of the shop come from? My son’s Isaac and Luca – hence the name “Zacalu”
What is the best quirk about the neighbourhood your shop is in? A gorgeous little beach town with the friendliest people.
Your areas best kept secret? Kingscliff – a little bit of unspoilt paradise hidden away on the far north coast of NSW
Favourite part of your working day? When my doors open first thing in the morning.
What tunes are played in your shop? Rotating on my ipod Gotye’s new album, Seeker, Lover, Keeper, Angus & Julia Stone.
What do you look for when buying for your shop? Quality and uniqueness
Where do you buy your coffee from? Choux Box
Where do you like to hang when your not in the shop? At home with my wild ones
Who lives in your family? Myself and my two boys 5 and 3.
What did you want to be when you where a kid? A Vet.
Zacalu Zoo is open 7 days a week 9am til 4pm.
Shop 2
96a Marine Parade
Kingscliff
NSW 2487
XX Nanny Goat
Chantals Tunes:
Gotye – Somebody That I use To Know
With the trade show over, the next job on the list is to dispatch the new summer range into shops.
OK OK. I know I declared that I will do “a blog a day” until the trade show.
Let me just say Knuffle Kid will be in good hands in the future, my apprentices have been busy setting up shop all this afternoon.
With the trade show under a week away, there is a lot of things to do. The only way to combat the tide of lose ends is a list!
SHOP BLOG – AMELIES ROOM
How long have you been established? 5 and a half years.
Where did the name of the website come from? Amelie is my daughter’s middle name.
What is the best quirk about the neighbourhood where you’re based? We are online and based in the Royal National Park- my office overlooks an abundance of wildlife. Love the sound of the kookaburras- it is so quiet and peaceful here.
Your areas best kept secret? We are the closest official “country town” to Sydney and our best kept secret is the town itself! Just 50 mins on the train to the CBD and we are amongst horses and wildlife.
Favourite part of your working day? Morning coffee and packing the orders in the early morning sunshine.
What tunes are played in your office? Vampire Weekend, Radiohead, Elbow, Foster the People, Fleet Foxes. Alexander Ebert.
What do you look for when buying for your website? I only buy products that I love and I know my children will love. I read a lot of magazines and am constantly on the internet where I come across a lot of original designers and cute new products.
Where do you buy your coffee from? Make my own soy latte with our espresso machine (worse part of my town is there is absolutely no decent coffee- thankfully my years as a barista (although we didn’t have such a fancy title then!) has taught me a few tricks!
Where do you like to hang when your not in the office? I’m a self confessed homebody but I like to go to Bali as much as I can and most of my free time is spent there! If I’m not in Bali then I’m here in the pool with a good book or making something at the sewing machine. Time out of the house is usually spent exploring new markets, or unwinding with a cocktail at the Bar Next to Samuel’s
Who lives in your family? English Hubby, two kids ages 5 and 2.
What did you want to be when you where a kid? Raised in French Canada with an Australian Grandmother- from about the age of 5 all I ever wanted was to be a fashion designer living in Australia… and here I am.
Amelies Room is open all the time - www.ameliesroom.com.au
Taylors tunes:
Vampire Weekend – A-Punk
Radiohead – Creep
Elbow – One Day Like This
Foster The People – Pumped Up Kids
Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
Alexander Ebert – Truth