Port Melbourne
If there's one thing that defines Port Melbourne, it's the rapid pace of change that is occurring in this very livable community. Port Melbourne's history lies in its early settler days when a myriad multi-cultural pioneers made this bayside suburb their home. The historical charm of Port Melbourne is now complemented by a more modern lifestyle in Beacon Cove and the many other new apartment complexes that continue to redefine the urban landscape. This influx of inner-city residents has created a demand for a wide array of entertainment, dining and shopping attractions to complement the traditional Australian pubs that define Port Melbourne's colonial past.
Getting around is easy because everything is within easy strolling distance and there's an excellent light rail tram service to and from Melbourne's central business district. Bay Street is the perfect place to meet friends for brunch, shop for everything from groceries and fresh foods to designer fashions and stylish home wares, relax over dinner and a glass of wine at many of the bayside eateries or enjoy a beer from practically anywhere in the world at one of Bay Street's renowned pubs. See the Port Melbourne Traders' Association website at: www.portmelb.com for details.
See the  Cartoon Map of Port Melbourne.
To find out what's going on in this area visit: www.portmelb.com.
Contact:
President: George Tsingos
Phone: (03) 9645 1271
Port Melbourne Precinct Activity Centre Marketing Coordinator
Karen Augustine 0417 349707
Email: all@augustine.com.au
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South Melbourne
South Melbourne is often described as the heart of the City of Port Phillip. Always busy and bustling, it draws people from neighbouring suburbs to the unique South Melbourne Market, to work at the myriad small businesses that have made this area home, or simply to enjoy the relaxed shopping and café culture. Clarendon Street is the main artery of South Melbourne with everything from banks, supermarkets, florists, fashion retailers and somewhere to stop and eat, drink and watch the world go by on every corner.
Off Clarendon Street run numerous side streets all with their own unique and boutique retail offerings and casual eating spots at cafés and restaurants. Coventry and Market Streets both lead to the South Melbourne Market, a traditional icon of Melbourne and THE place to go for fresh produce, deli specialties, home wares and fashions - all at bargain prices.
See the Cartoon Map of South Melbourne.
South Melbourne Business Association contacts:
President - Stuart Mitchell
Phone: (03) 9645 0488
Website: www.southmelbourne.com
If you are interested in participating in the South Melbourne Marketing Activities or for further information contact
Marketing Coordinator: Kerry Schonfelder 0418 191 009
Email: kerry@spinnakermarketing.com.au
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Albert Park
Surrounded by parkland and characterised by elegant Victorian architecture Albert Park is synonymous with style and sophistication. Bridport Street has become renowned for its upmarket retailers and trendy cafes where Melbourne's cool crowd gathers for brunch, lunch and everything in-between.
A stroll around Albert Park is a must - start with the magnificent terrace homes of St Vincent's Place, then explore the rose gardens and exquisite fretwork of the many Victorian cottages that line every street in Albert Park. Behind the façade of many of these Victorian cottages and terraces lies a hive of activity as Albert Park has increasingly become the home of specialist advertising and marketing companies, architects, graphic designers and other boutique small businesses.
Albert Park is only minutes from the foreshore, with a short stroll or tram ride down Victoria Avenue. A relaxed pace is recommended, as there's yet more dining options and tempting retail stores at which to browse and window-shop.
See the Cartoon Map of Albert Park.
Albert Park Traders Association
President - Jason Cartinelli
Phone: (03) 9690 4383
Albert Park Fruit Palace, 91 Dundas Place, Albert Park 3206
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Middle Park
Albert Park's twin precinct, Middle Park, shares much of the architectural history and gracious gardens of its upmarket neighbour. Middle Park also prides itself on its relaxed relationship with the more raffish charms of St Kilda. With Fitzroy Street forming its southern border, Middle Park attracts residents and visitors who enjoy a comfortable and friendly culture. Armstrong Street is the hub of this culture and offers a myriad specialist retail offerings, eating-out options and general convenience shopping.
Only a short stroll from the foreshore on one side and the picturesque Albert Park on the other side, Middle Park has developed a reputation for shops that specialise in leisure activities for the many visitors who flock to this picturesque bayside suburb. There are also many retail stores and service businesses that meet the everyday needs of this bustling community.
See the Cartoon Map of Middle Park.
Middle Park Traders Association
President - Simon Floreani
Phone: (03) 9682 8866
Email: simon@vitalitychiropractic.com.au
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St Kilda
Once renowned only for its seedy side, St Kilda has undergone a resurgence of popularity and is now recognised as Melbourne's favourite playground for locals and tourists alike. A virtual melting pot of cultural and lifestyle diversity, St Kilda is where anything goes and anyone is welcome.
St Kilda is defined by two distinct retail strips, Fitzroy Street and Acland Street, with a magnificent Esplanade and the stunning St Kilda beach providing a natural link between the two precincts.
Fitzroy Street never sleeps, with the bright neon lights and constant hum of nightlife unfolding to lazy days of sidewalk cafes and parades of people. Soon to be home to a new IGA supermarket and several boutique retail developments, Fitzroy Street is a contradiction of new-found chic alongside shabby charm.
Acland Street is the cosmopolitan centre of St Kilda, originally home to the many European immigrants who brought with them the tradition of mouth-watering cakes and pastries from their homelands. Rows upon rows of indulgent cakes line the windows of Acland Street's famous cake shops, tempting those who stand three-deep outside the windows trying to decide which decadent treat to buy today. An even more fascinating past-time has emerged in Acland Street - people-watching. Sit at any of the outdoor cafes that line Acland Street and watch the unusual, the eclectic and the downright weird wander past - this is the place for displaying personal expression and your own sense of style! For the serious shopper, there's a wide range of clothing stores, quirky gift shops, retro and op shop treasures, funky home wares, art and collectables. And tucked away in the side streets are some fabulous designer fashion boutiques.
See also the St Kilda Esplanade Arts & Craft Market which operates every Sunday.
See the Acland Street Cartoon Map.
Contacts:
Acland Street Precinct Traders Association
President - Doug Bear
Phone: (03) 9525 3599
Fitzroy Street Precinct Traders Association
President - Roger Wyndham
Phone: (03) 9534 9041
Email: info@robarta.com.au
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Elwood
Appropriately known as Elwood Village, the main shopping precinct in Elwood is Ormond Road. Starting with the very groovy Turtle Café on the corner of Glen Huntly and Ormond Roads, Elwood Village haphazardly sprawls along, a health food shop here, a kite shop there, treasures from Morocco at Alafia, hand-knitted teddy bears at Red Dog. There's something for everyone at Elwood Village and the strong sense of community has been retained, the locals even starting their own Community Bank when the last of the major branches shut its doors.
While fast gaining in popularity with the 'in-crowd' looking to find somewhere new, Elwood is still one of those places you can walk down the street and start talking to the locals as if you had known them for years.
Café culture is strong in Elwood Village but the pace is more relaxed than the St Kilda scene. Not just the young and beautiful, Elwood attracts all age groups and all lifestyles - mums with toddlers in strollers jostle for space at the sidewalk cafes alongside businessmen and bohemian artists - everyone has a place in Elwood Village.
The pace of development has dramatically increased in Elwood over the past few years and the face of Ormond Road is undergoing a transformation. Retail stores now sit alongside modern apartments and the lines between retail and residential have blurred. Elwood Village is a model for the future, where people live, work and play within a multi-purpose community, developed out of a need for convenience, choice and close proximity to everyday essentials.
See the Elwood Village Cartoon Map.
Elwood Traders Association
President - Ivan Kalbstein
Phone: (03) 9531 6089
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Balaclava
You could be forgiven for thinking you were in a different country after spending a few minutes walking along Carlisle Street, Balaclava. Everywhere, you'll hear the multilingual voices of the many cultures of European immigrants, many of whom have spent many decades living in Australia but still proudly uphold the language, dress and culture of their European homes.
With this cultural diversity comes a cosmopolitan shopping precinct offering the best in home-style butchers, greengrocers, bakeries and kosher foods. Here you'll find traditional craftsmen who can make you a pair of handmade shoes, fix your grandfather clock or tailor a fitted suit for you. This is one precinct well-serviced with banks, supermarkets, chemists and hair salons - a sure sign that the local community prefers to shop locally for their everyday needs.
With European culture comes café culture, where coffee-making is regarded as an art. Long black, short black, latté or cappuccino, the cafés in Balaclava are renowned for their coffee, cakes, bagels and baguettes. But the vibe is definitely changing. First of the hip cafés was Wall 280. Pause, the Middle Eastern-inspired bar-restaurant, continued the trend, Las Chicas, Cafe Quiet Earth, Hare and Tortoise, Cafe Qua, the Carlisle Wine Bar and MilkToast. More recently, Refresh, Rouge (formerly Lamzinis), Gattica and even a Pump Juice Bar have opened up.
Well-serviced by both trams and trains, Carlisle Street is a short trip from the Melbourne central business district or the foreshore and worth the visit just for the cultural experience.
See the Carlisle Street Cartoon Map.
Carlisle Street Precinct Traders Association:
There is no official Traders Association at this time. For more information on the precinct Visit: www.carlislestreet.traders.net.au
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Ripponlea
There's a small supermarket in Ripponlea. But no banks, no chain stores, not even any fast-food outlets. Ripponlea prides itself on its unique character and unusual retail offerings. Concentrated in a small strip of beautifully maintained heritage buildings, Ripponlea focuses firmly on fine foods. There's the delicatessen, specialising in European delicacies and kosher foods, Kleins restaurant-quality gourmet food to take home, Attica restaurant serving Middle Eastern flavours in a refitted former bank building, and Bala da Dhaba, one of Melbourne's best Indian/Nepalese restaurants.
There are also some amazing discoveries for anyone looking for the unusual, the unique and the ubiquitous - window-shopping along this quaint retail strip will reveal home wares, gifts, collectables and antiques just waiting for the discerning shopper.
See the Ripponlea Cartoon Map.
Ripponlea Traders Association
President - Scott Rigg
Phone: 0412 263 333
Address: 6 Glen Eira Avenue, Ripponlea
Email: getscott@tpg.com.au
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More information
For information about trader groups in these neighbourhood shopping centres, see the Port Phillip Business website.
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Economic Development.
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