The Beauty Curse - Frock Paper Scissors

Southside
Story
On the outskirts of the city
lies a space with picturesque
buildings laying claim to
a street that momentarily
sweeps you up and takes
you back to an old world full
of romance, class and style.
WORDS Ambre Harford-Birkett
PHOTOGRAPHY Claire Grimshaw & Sarah Spear
Woolloongabba has long been known
as a run-down backdrop for late night
drunken brawls, but following eight
months of construction and twelve months still
looming, it is fast transforming from dilapidated to
delightful.
The main street, full of charm, with its high
illuminated umbrella lights, tall trees and garden
beds, takes you back to a time much like a scene from
Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook.
Then there are the century old shop fronts which
are now home to several charming stores such as
Miss Mouse, Absolutely Fabulous and the Pearl Café,
making Logan Road the perfect place for style and
culture.
Some say there’s no such thing as love at first sight,
yet after visiting Miss Mouse your faith in the saying is
restored.
The store’s unique character hits you from the
moment you’re inside, from the framed, hand-written
short stories to the magical poem written by the
owner’s young daughter scribbled across a mirror in
bright red lipstick.
Beautiful dresses from local designers are draped
over antique chairs, while one-off jewellery pieces are
laid across a large wooden table which sits between the
raw brick walls, creating a treasure trove for style lovers.
Stocking only garments that are “classic with a
twist”, owner Dee Harris, loves that every piece can
be worn in a different way. “I try to get pieces that will
embellish and customize an outfit so everyone who
walks out of the store can personalise it with their
individual style,” Harris says.
It was Woolloongabba’s historic buildings and the
suburb’s own individual style which attracted Harris
to leave her well-loved Paddington cafe, Lure, to open
Miss Mouse in 2008.
54 FROCK. paper. scissors
Across the road,
Absolutely Fabulous has
walls stacked with quirky pieces, giving the store a well
earned spot along the Logan Road stroll.
Owners Mary and Peta recently closed their New
Farm boutique, merging its belongings into the cleverly
overstuffed Woolloongabba space for the same reasons
as Harris.
Everyone loves a laugh and it seems this is the
place to let your inner giggle loose. Laughter is a central
vision Mary has for the ever-expanding store. “We want
people to have fun here,” she says.
Upon exploring the store, both new and old pieces
can be uncovered. Breath-taking antique furniture
shares the floor with unconventional items, such
as a high-heel shoe cake server, a necessity for all
fashionistas turned domestic wannabes.
“We will only stock a piece that really rocks our
boat,” Peta says, explaining the collection of witty and
well-designed items which makes Absolutely Fabulous
one of a kind.
Further down the street, is a coffee hot spot which
has created quite a stir with its large loyal customer base
that swears by the addictive caffeine experience.
The man that brought us The Gun Shop Café in
West End, Daniel Lewis, has transformed an antique
terrace house into the stylish Pearl Café. This quiet
café positioned between a shade of trees and shabby
ceramic potted plants, lets you sit back to enjoy some
afternoon people watching.
The finer details are what gives this spot its quirky
style; freshly baked cakes are placed on stands while
the daily blackboard specials live in gilt picture frames,
making it almost too charming for words.
The modern lighting contrasts with the bentwood
chairs and stripped back brick walls which create an
experience usually found on the streets of Europe.
The ultra-modern yet traditional interior sets the
scene for the efficient and friendly service, coupled
with simple food and rich, creamy coffee; even the
most skilled baristas talk about for days.
While Logan Road may be frustrating at times,
with the maze of road works and gravel sticking to new
summer thongs, Woolloongabba’s array of tall historical
buildings and quirky characters is quickly putting the
streets of Paddington and New Farm to shame.
There seems to be no better time to make the move
to the Southside.
WX