A new retro store with an eclectic offering is rejuvenating a corner of a coastal village square that has been in a “state of disrepair” for years.
The Peregian Village Square has come alive with a new project by talented local businesswoman and owner of successful fashion brand Boom Shankar, Dui Cameron.
The new store, The Local Peregian, is reinvigorating the north corner of the square, where the old Friendly Grocer once stood.
It comes as the old butcher shop on the south corner of the square is being transformed into a Mexican restaurant.
With Ms Cameron over in India on her annual work trip, Boom Shankar general manager Liv Mills – who has taken the reins – said the designer and creative director was thrilled to open her new store in what was already a wonderful shopping destination.
“Dui is a long-time Peregian local and our design and production offices are actually upstairs in the village, so it is the perfect location,” she said.
“Not a lot of people realise that’s where design and production all happened for the Boom Shankar brand … the village has always been a really special place to her.
“She’s seen how the Coast has evolved and she really wanted to give a unique offering and an eclectic mix.
“Her son Charlie has been over in India with her working on his first menswear collection that will be landing in The Local soon, which is also exciting.”
Ms Mills said the response from locals after opening had been overwhelming.
“We were just thrilled when the space we moved into finally became available, because I think like all locals, everyone was a bit sad with how long it had just sat because it was such an eyesore,” she said.
“It was vacant for maybe five years-plus, but there was a lot of whispers about different potential developments – so we jumped on it when it became free.
“Everyone’s being incredibly supportive and are loving to see that dark, dingy corner become this beautiful breath of fresh air. There’s life and music back in the space as well as a beautiful selection of Boom Shankar for those long-time loyal fans.”
To make the official opening date of Easter Saturday, the team managed to do the fit-out and get the shop ready within two weeks.
“It was a very busy time,” Ms Mills said.
“I was quite resourceful getting the tradies in when apparently no one can get any tradies lately. They were all local tradies and were all so pumped that something fun was going in, which was really nice.”
Offering apparel, vinyl, gifts, homewares, accessories and a selection of curated skateboards, the store showcases many local brands such as Pottery for the Planet, Saya Skincare and The Soap Bar.
“The vinyl is a really big one. Music is a really big part of Dui’s life – she loves having the vinyl and how music brings people together,” Ms Mills said.
“We’ve got a record player in-store and sell a nice selection … the aim is to find emerging Sunshine Coast bands and have an offering of their vinyl in there as well.
“We also try and source as many local brands as we can, there’s so many beautiful success stories and so much creativity on the Sunshine Coast.”
She said they offered a curated selection of skateboard decks from Chiggy’s Skateboards as well as some created by a few Sunshine Coast pro skaters.
“It’s the feel of the old-school small beach town and the style of times gone by and that very surf, skate, music feel. We are touching on that culture, which is such a vibe here on the Coast.
“The village has such an amazing offering of retailers already there … I think it’s some of the best destination shopping on the Coast and we are so happy to offer our unique little retro quirk to the area.”
From humble beginnings selling her fashion designs at the Eumundi Markets, Ms Cameron has since grown a successful business empire.
“We now have a thriving business with employees 22 people across our offices in Noosa and our three retail stores,” Ms Mills said.
“This is the third retail store under the Boom Shankar umbrella, and the business is only expanding.
“We have a thriving wholesale business across Australia and New Zealand and plans to move into the northern hemisphere and expand our global distribution markets.”
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