We Australians live for coffee. Meeting for a coffee has become deeply ingrained in our culture. A way of life. People who don’t like coffee are a rare breed, and quite frankly, often frowned upon. So how did our love of lattes become so strong, and is it ever a bad thing? Hannah shares with us how her own love of coffee began and how she believes it’s shaped her world for the better.
“Wouldn’t it be cool if we made a magazine…” It was during a coffee break that sisters Kristy Coady and Rebecca Geraghty realised they shared a dream of one day creating a magazine. Even though they had built a successful design agency, Design Bug, the thought of launching a new business was daunting. But they were confident in their ability to design a magazine that would look good on coffee tables, so they took a chance by deciding there and then to make their dream a reality.
We love our local stockists and we love to see a small business thrive! The wonderfully eclectic Hunter Street Newcastle boutique fashion store Hey Jude Love Pete is celebrating four years in business this week and we thought this was worth celebrating. We chat to owner Emily about all things bricks and mortar, bucking against the trends and bringing joy and colour to the local community!
The Mayfield community has been abuzz since locals recently noticed movement at the historic Coliseum Antiques cafe, which has reopened as Sonny & Betty, under the reins of none other than Cakeboi himself, Reece Hignell.
There’s nothing better than receiving a book recommendation from someone who knows the literary world inside out. When thinking about the must-read titles to devour this summer, we knew we’d be in safe hands with our friends Rosemarie Milsom and Amy Lovat, two of the masterminds behind the annual Newcastle Writers Festival.
If you’re anything like us, you probably feel like you’re crawling your way to the finish line of 2024. The days are getting hotter, the party invites are plentiful and it feels like every second day the kids require money for something at school. We’ll all be taking a few much-needed weeks off soon, and are looking forward to some extra reading, watching and listening time. Here’s what we’ll be consuming over the holidays (along with plenty of good food and wine, no doubt).
We all want to support our small local businesses this Christmas, but it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to start. We’ve rounded up our top small Newcastle shops to visit for all your gift giving needs this festive season.
There is a quote that says, ‘At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment…’. Today, in amongst that moody backdrop there exists a small, concrete space that people have come to rely on. The roller door flings up day after day, and despite nature’s best efforts to thwart its idyllic setting, the people still come to… the beach kiosk.
Common Circus are set to celebrate their 10th birthday on October 19, with a festival inspired fun day at their Hamilton store. Think live music, a petting zoo, face painting, coffee, donuts and an art exhibit featuring some of Newcastle’s favourites. We chatted to owner Lauren Henry about this exciting milestone.
For Jacinta Fintan, owner of public art agency The Wall Station, murals represent more than just the visual impact they have on a landscape. They can bring meaning to a space and connect people through art. Jacinta talks to Swell about the role of street art in communities, along with Newcastle’s new graffiti removal program Small Walls, and the pivotal part local artists will play.
