Northbridge is home to some of the most unique and independent shops and boutiques in Perth, just ask any of the friendly locals. They carry everything from curated traveller's trinkets to clothing by indie designers. Vibrant, colourful and full of personality, here is a list of the best shops in the neighbourhood.
Getting there
Northbridge is separated from the Perth Central Business District and Perth City by the Fremantle and Midland train lines. It can be reached with a short walk over the horseshoe bridge from Wellington Street across to Roe Street. A footbridge linking Forrest Chase to the Perth Station is another avenue of exploration, providing a more artistic route as it leads on to the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Perth Cultural Centre, one of the major art hubs in WA.
The closest bus station is the Perth Busport which can be entered at King Street, Queen Street or Yagan Square and will bring you right to the Northbridge doorstep - Roe Street. If travelling by train, Perth Station is the best stop to alight from.
Northside Books
Discover a range of titles spanning arts, cooking, philosophy, fiction, travel and history at Northside Books. Go on adventures with characters and settle into a world other than your own. There are books for readers young and old, including comic books, graphic novels and biographies.
A visit to Northside Books comes with its perks, as gelato from neighbouring gelato parlour Chi Cho Gelato is also welcome. If books weren't enough, you can purchase board games, occasion cards and journals. Pull up a seat and get comfortable with a best seller or ask the staff for some recommendations.
Beans & Bunches
Beans & Bunches is tucked away in William Arcade. The store offers fresh and seasonal blooms in a relaxed and natural setting. Owner Stacey, is a dedicated and experienced florist, who draws on her organic aesthetic and appreciation for natural beauty as the basis for her arrangements.
When Stacey isn't handpicking the freshest botanical materials for her clients, she can be found in her store preparing centrepieces for corporate events, bespoke bouquets and flower crowns for garden weddings. Beans & Bunches also offer private lessons and run a series of floral workshops where you can learn how to make flower crowns, create beautiful arrangements and discover the principles of floral design.
Co-located with Beans & Bunches is Safari Record Shack which is run by Stacey’s husband John and looked after by their border collie named Bobby. Call in if you want to browse some records or if you're seeking to buy your favourite band's album on vinyl. The only issue is resisting the need to purchase any of the beautiful stems on show.
Eillo
Eillo is an airy and bright concept store selling homewares and coffee. This store of curated goods is white, bright and minimalistic. You'll find everything here for the on-trend homewares enthusiast, such as marble clocks, nordic inspired crockery, simple stationary and even body scrubs.
Eillo also stock the Palm Beach Collection, an Australian run business that make a series of fragrances, hand-poured scented candles and reed diffusers that will remind you of the Aussie coast.
To truly feel at home, order a cup of coffee and head to the back of the store where you'll find a private indoor space and a court yard. Eillo support and stock Perth-based Micrology Coffee Roasters and serve coffee in sizes "Tiny" ($3.00 AUD) through to "Bloody Big" ($5.00 AUD). Choose from a selection of savoury toasties, muffins and croissants before heading to the courtyard outside to soak up the sunshine.
Ware on William
Ware is a little shop along William Street that stocks a range of quirky and unique gifts, personal accessories and homewares for all ages and occasions. It's a treasure trove of urban and eclectic style.
Here you'll find kids toys, stationary and journals, bags and dresses. The good old whoopee cushion makes an appearance for the young at heart. And for the slightly more sensible, you can purchase calendars and cook books.
With its rare finds and contemporary goods, it's a great store for the collectors and globe trotters. The Dandy Barber is also located at the back of the shop, cutting and trimming away. Not a bad place to go if you’re in need of a quick fix me up!
Ruck Rover General Store
Ruck Rover General Store is full of personality. It's a bright and colourful shop filled with vintage inspired pieces for women. That's not to say there isn't anything for the average Joe, as the store also stocks odd socks and graphic tees, in addition to colourful clothes for children.
Ruck Rover proudly support small labels and independent designers. They also have a penchant for indie clothes, patterns and general cuteness.Flip through Australian magazines and browse occasion cards designed by local artists and printed by independently run Western Australian print shops like the Whiteman Park Print Shop.
You can get a good feel for their stock in their online store, but I find rifling through the racks is always preferable!
Periscope Clothing
A place doesn't win awards for no reason. Periscope Clothing has made a deep impact on the Perth Fashion Community as an independent womenswear clothing, accessories and shoe boutique. Each piece is carefully considered - be they lightweight summery styles or basic wardrobe staples. Periscope also stock fair trade fashion and manage to strike a balanced and unique approach to classic and modern style.
The Bronze Snake Shop
The Bronze Snake Shop is hard to miss when walking down William Street. The outside is covered with emerald green tiling and the inside has an assortment of clothes for men and women.
The store was originally established in Melbourne in 2006 and has since become a store of Australian street style staples. If you don't already have a solid collection of hats, you may do some serious damage at Bronze Snake Shop. The items stocked are not only stylish but also sell at a fair price point.
The Butcher Shop
Remember to support your local butcher and visit The Butcher Shop. The name is a little misleading as The Butcher Shop doesn't stock meat. It does however, stock a solid selection of Herschel backpacks, clothes for men as well as cards and art supplies.
The store also stock graphic design magazines complete with works from up-and-coming designers. It's the perfect store for creative types and the space works to engage local artists and independent Australian designers. You can purchase spray cans, paint and copic markers in an array of colours for those who are a little more artsy.
William Street Cycle Co
Bicycles and coffee? Who would have thought it. Well the brains at William Street Cycle Co certainly did. They are exclusive Perth stockists to the beautiful Tokyo Bike and Chapelli Vintage in an assortment of colours. You can grab yourself a helmet, canvas rucksack or of course, a new urban steed.
While the focus is obviously on the bicycles you’ll also have an excuse to peruse a small selection of baked goods as the William Street Cycle Co houses a small cafe at the back. We're talking donuts, gluten free cakes and toasted sandwiches. Fiori coffee is also served up here, so don't be afraid to pop in, even if it's for a cup of coffee.
William Topp
William Topp has operated for nine years at the Top of William Street - hence the name. This charming store stocks vintage goods, artisanal homewares and other bits and bobs. There’s something for everyone here. They even stock practical and well designed household goods for the kitchen and bathroom, including brushes, scissors, tableware and tools.
William Topp specialises in a curated collection of beautiful things and is a culmination of old and new, featuring handmade and handpicked pieces. It's a perfect place to visit when challenged with the prospect of gift giving, as owner Kate is more than happy to meet the challenge. While the store has a sign hanging in it saying it’s "a large fancy room filled with crap" it’s far from it and is worth a visit.
Beau est Mien
Beau est Mien is a treasured shop and printmaking studio, frequented by an array of members of the artistic community and those with a penchant for beauty. It translates to "Beautiful is mine". Perfect for the maker or the art admirer, this bright, pastel-hued boutique and studio stocks products from across the world.
It's here where you will find a selection of goods designed and illustrated by store founder and artist Magali. The lovely store manager and equally talented artist Alina will be more than happy to help you in your choice of artwork.
Enroll yourself in one of their exposure screen printing classes, or their travel inspired dry point and etching workshop. Have one of your own photographs turned into art and take home a little piece of Perth with you.
