In what could be one of the first steps into the future of retail, Brisbane’s newest concept retail and workshop space opened on Latrobe Terrace, Paddington on May 1st, 2014.
The Showroom is rethinking traditional retail by bridging the gap between online and physical retail.
How exactly is it doing this? Well, it offers design savvy customers the opportunity to physically shop a curated collection of the Australian blogosphere’s favourite web-based brands, under one tin roof.
It offers customers the chance to source the coolest stuff from the web in the real world where they can to see it, feel it, and even meet the person who made it.
What is the motivation behind The Showroom?
Born out of the experiences of entrepreneurs Catherine Roberts and Caroline de Lore of The Spring Shop and Wilde Flora, the space will offer a chic alternative for influential design brands who like the idea of engaging with their customers in the real world but aren’t prepared to take on the challenge of running their own flagship store.
Roberts revealed to Anthill that creating a beautiful destination for their own customers and helping local creative entrepreneurs change the face of traditional retail are the drivers behind the launch of the Showroom space.
“What is unique is that the physical retail space is as clean and customisable as the exquisitely designed online shops we love to browse, with the added benefit that customers get to see and touch the high quality products they have been coveting,” she remarked.
Showroom will offer socially savvy artisans, stylists, and creative small businesses exciting new possibilities for collaboration, cross-promotion, hosting small events, and popping-up to sell their wares in a Pinterest-worthy retail space without the hassle and expense of outfitting, staffing and filling a long term commercial premises all on their own.
Lots of cool events in the pipeline
As a hub for local creatives, Showroom will also run a regular series of crafternoons and workshops led by celebrated makers, stylists, and entrepreneurs, where topics will range from flower crown making to getting your personal brand to blow up on social media and there will always be plenty of tea. Who doesn’t love tea?
In fact, they already have a few events scheduled: Terrarium Making Workshop lined up for May 31 as well as Interactive Raw Chocolate and Naked Cakes with Gillian coming up in June.
