I first met Lauren (plus husband Scott and daughter Lottie) back in 2020, when I was tasked with writing a piece for Swell Issue 8 about their colourful Charlestown home. Among lots of other great topics (which you should most definitely check out), we spoke about how Common Circus Belmont had come to be and how Lauren’s commitment to creating a vibrant community-centred space had cemented it as a popular spot for Lake Macquarie locals and visitors alike, at their original Belmont location.
Little did I know that at the time of our last chat, Lauren was quietly browsing listings, viewing properties and dreaming up ideas for a second retail space. As it turns out, Lauren had first viewed the former church hall on Dixon Street (which we now know as their flagship store, Common Circus Hamilton) back in 2019.
“My original vision for the store was always something along the lines of a warehouse style space,” explains Lauren. “I wanted somewhere that would allow me to be a bit more creative and slowly grow the business.”
“My original vision the store was always something along the lines of a warehouse style space.”
The front façade had been boarded up for many years, and while the building featured lots of beautiful timber, much of it was very dark and dingy. This wasn’t a deterrent for Lauren, who could see how much potential there was and started dreaming up ideas for turning it into the Common Circus concept store. With its high ceilings, wide open ground floor and upstairs office spaces, the possibilities were plentiful.
As it turns out, she had plenty of time to daydream. Thanks to Covid, it wasn’t until October 2020 that Lauren was handed the keys (about sixteen months after her first viewing) and could finally start bringing it to life. The boarding was pulled down, revealing a gorgeous rustic brick archway which is now the main entrance to the store.
Lauren’s main goal internally was to bring in light, which was achieved through a combination of fresh white paint, colourful feature walls and all new glass front doors, while maintaining the original timber beams, panelling and flooring throughout.
The café counter is without a doubt a focal point – made from terracotta tiles and terrazzo countertops (very much on-theme with the Common Circus brand colours of warm orange, rust and pinks), which is contrasted against the electric blue coffee machine and accessories.
“I had a lot of time to think about the store and be really intentional about how it was going to be used,” explains Lauren. “I’m a firm believer in starting small and growing into a business, so while I was excited about how much more space I was going to have and what that meant for me creatively, I wanted to take it slowly and do my best to maintain my small business ethos.”
Common Circus Hamilton officially opened its doors in March 2021, and despite its tucked away location, it wasn’t long before it was a bustling hub of shoppers and café-goers.
“Common Circus has always been about being more than just a retail store,” comments Lauren. “It probably sounds a bit silly as the owner of a retail store, but selling just for the sake of selling is not fulfilling for me. The sense of community we’ve been able to create has not only been the biggest reward, but the biggest surprise as well.”
Lauren says creating an inclusive, approachable space where everyone feels welcome has always been top of mind. “Sometimes you walk into a store or café and you feel like you don’t belong,” says Lauren. “I never want Common Circus to feel like that – to feel too on-trend or intimidating. I tell my staff that they can chat all day, as long as they include the person on the other side of the counter.”
Becoming more than just a store has unfolded in a slow and considered way, aided by the generous upstairs office and studio spaces available. The five offices are now occupied by fellow local creatives and the large all white studio can be rented for photoshoots or small events.
“Renting out the studio and offices was never part of the business plan, but it has become such a big part of what we do,” says Lauren. “The studio, in particular, has become an extension of what we offer downstairs. We use it for all of our product shoots. This was a huge bonus during the Covid lockdowns, as selling online helped us get through and continues to be a big part of our offering.”
Becoming more than just a store has unfolded in a slow and considered way, aided by the generous upstairs office and studio spaces available at Hamilton.
As for the beautiful products that make Common Circus so unique, Lauren is a big believer in investing in quality pieces that you truly love. From quirky and colourful textiles, unique candles and vases, sustainable kitchen wares and beauty products, to kids toys and clothing, books and small furniture – there’s something for everyone at Common Circus.
“I’ll be the first to admit that while I do try and stock practical items that serve a purpose, not everything I sell is a necessity, says Lauren. “But I do strongly believe that surrounding yourself with things that make you happy can have such a positive impact on your life. Growing up, I was constantly rearranging my bedroom or even the living room, and it didn’t really make a lot of sense to me until I got older. My home was my comfort zone and I took pride in how it looked – it truly did impact the way I felt.”
If you’re someone that struggles to find the balance between buying things to quickly fill a want (not necessarily a need) vs. slowing down and being more considered with your purchases, you’re certainly not alone.
“I strongly believe that surrounding yourself with things that make you happy can have such a positive impact on your life.”
Lauren reflects on the past few years as a business owner and consumer, commenting on the way that many people turned to online shopping during those hard times.
“I definitely think spending brought people a lot of joy when there wasn’t much else,” says Lauren. “But I think a lot of people, including me, quickly became fatigued by it as we were being much less intentional. It’s been nice to reconnect with our customers face-to-face and be able to encourage them to take their time while shopping and invest in things for their homes that will last and truly bring them joy.”
With her own growing family and the never-ending daily responsibilities that come with being a business owner, it’s easy to wonder how Lauren manages it all. Her response is as humble as ever, and has a lot to do with her focus word for 2023 – slow.
“I was one hundred percent a perfectionist prior to having my own kids and starting a business,” laughs Lauren. “One of the biggest lessons has been learning to let go, but also taking the time to consider which parts of my work actually bring me joy.
For me, it’s the merchandising and styling side of things, so having the space to do that at Hamilton has really helped me to find the joy again when things get really busy in the day-to-day running of the business. It makes me a better mother and a better boss.” Unless you’ve had the pleasure of visiting Common Circus, it’s hard to truly capture how it feels walking into such a beautiful space. I asked Lauren how she hopes visitors feel when they stop by.
“I hope the space feels inviting and comfortable, and that the way products are presented encourages people to spend in a more considered way – if that’s what they’ve come here to do.”
“I hope the space feels inviting and comfortable, and that the way products are presented encourages people to spend in a more considered way – if that’s what they’ve come here to do,” reflects Lauren. “But when people say they love coming here, I don’t care if it’s just for a coffee every day because they need a break and to find some calm. To be able to provide that makes it all worthwhile.”
Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift, some unique new homewares, the coolest kids’ wares on the block, or simply want a warm and relaxing spot to sip your morning cup of joe, head to Common Circus in Hamilton – an instant mood boost is almost certainly guaranteed.
Lauren decided to focus on Common Circus Hamilton and closed the doors at Belmont in early 2024. You can now find Good One coffee in the original CC location.
Words: Hannah Mills | Photography: Dominique Cherry
As seen in Swell Issue 17.
