Monday, October 28, 2013

Family, community, unique and local

It's been here since the 1930's but only since the Sexton brothers purchased the Centre in 1994 did the dream/plan to create a green space unfold.  The courtyard became a vision of Geoff, Peter and Bill's when deciding to turn the old flat into shop space.  Originally the current courtyard area was about a metre lower and was grass, behind a old timber fence.  With the boys plan the area was built up and paved.  One original item, probably 30 years old, is the beautiful Camellia tree, sitting as the pride of the place.  Karen fusses over it and tries to ensure that it continues to thrive and survive. 
The old corner store was attached to the flat because the flat was originally built to home the founding family's son after he came back from the war.  The founding family the Andronicus's owned and operated the corner store and Iris Andronicus still lives locally and visits the shops.  It was a mix of grocery, vegetables, haberdashery and hardware items. Many of the older residents from the original Taringa homesteads, remember the Shop as the Pauls Milk Depot.

It has been nearly 20 years since the Sexton brothers purchased the Centre and it is now owned solely by Geoff and Karen.   Geoff loves the garden, his Laundromat and the community feel of the Centre.  You will find him out there most Sundays or Mondays, mowing the lawn, gardening, painting and pottering about.  Peter still works out the back from the shed, repairing washing machines like his Dad, Max Sexton.  Max lived in Gladstone Street and raised the family in the Indooroopilly - Taringa area, operating 'Sextons Washing Machine Repairs'.  Geoff has memories of coming down to the Centre with his Mum, Thelma to visit the butcher that was located where Pampered Pets is now.  Geoff and Karen have lived in the area on and off since 1998, in Broomfield Street, Stanley Street and Waverley Road.  Sister Jenny and her family still lives at the family home in Gladstone Street.  And all the Sexton kids went to Indooroopilly State School too. 

So, the family feel, the community hub and the future of Hillsdon Road Centre is firmly part of our family future.  We hope this little secret space continues to bring the local residents an enjoyable green space, great facilities and convenience away from the busy Indooroopilly Shoppingtown and Moggill Road.  We will continue to maintain the heritage of the corner store, that is Commercial Character listed and keep that beautiful unique green space of the Courtyard there for you all.  We believe there is a future in Town Planning for these truly *local* shopping hubs and that although Brisbane City Council tends to forget about us, re zone us and sometimes make it difficult for the business owners to grow and be successful.  We love our little Centre and will do our best to keep it local and friendly.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Smooth at Taringa, excellence in skin care

We feel so lucky to have Smooth in our lovely little centre.  Annie is not only a wonderful Tenant, but provides excellence in skin care and beauty treatments.   Annie and the Staff work hard at ensuring Smooth at Taringa provides an excellent range of beauty therapy services and advanced skin solutions for women and men of all ages and all skin types.

All the staff are experienced, friendly therapists and the Doctor are fully qualified in their field of expertise and are happy to provide a thorough consultation to achieve the best results for you with quality care and minimal downtime at affordable prices.
Our team members are constantly updating their skills to provide you with the very best and latest information in the beauty industry and you can feel safe knowing that they are fully qualified and certified in the use of the clinic equipment, which also meets TGA and FDA approvals.

We only use and recommend professional cosmeceuticals for treatments and prescribed homecare to ensure guaranteed results.


So if you haven't been and indulged, pampered and treated yourself and your skin....now is a great time to start!  

You can find Smooth, nestled in the leafy green Courtyard of Hillsdon Road Centre, on Goldsbrough Road.  Parking on the street just out front.  

Contact Smooth ~ 3870 0029

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Courtyard @ Hillsdon

The courtyard is looking lovely after a day or rain.  And Shop 2 is in the process of being refurbished.  Seeing all the beautiful history and vintage assets when the panels come down.  Beautiful old windows letting some light in!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

In the works...

 UPDATE!!

Sassi is now enjoying a larger space, a new fitout and the fabulous neighbouring businesses at The Cat & Fiddle Centre at Auchenflower.  We wish them much success in this larger enterprise. 

In regard to their old space in the courtyard.  As you will have seen the Council DA signage has been up nearly the time it's required.  And yes we know it has confused some people with it's 'Restaurant/Cafe' title.  But to clarify the application is for a Cafe, the classification is Councils standard one for any business that wants to install any cooking equipment in a food business.  Our new tenant Bronwyn will be hoping that once DA is approved, without successful objections that she can start the fitout and refurbishment.   We handed over the keys to Bronwyn on Friday and she enjoyed a celebration yesterday with her family coming down to look at her new business.  

I am sure everyone will be as excited as we are when they see the beautiful food, baked goods and excellent coffee Bronwyn will be producing.  

So fingers crossed that the application is approved promptly by Council and we can soon enjoy a delicious espresso in that lovely Courtyard again!