A passion for telling stories of the past runs through the blood of the Fleming family, who own The Speckled Hen Antiques and Collectibles.
Peruse the cabinets of The Speckled Hen Antiques and Collectibles, and you’ll find a range of hidden treasures waiting to be unearthed. From old film cameras to fine china and silverware, the items located within the store tell stories of eras long-gone.
Situated on Flinders Street, The Speckled Hen was first established in Brisbane back in 1967 by Joëlle and Ian Fleming. However, a relocation to Townsville led the couple to inaugurate the store once more in 1970, where they continue to manage it today with their son Tristan.
“The aim of the shop was never to deal in priceless antiques but more about learning, rescuing and promoting an interest of the past,” says Tristan. “It really was circular economy at its finest, before it became the buzz term it is today.
“For my parents, antiques were and continue to be their passion and love, and that’s why they do it. It’s their passion that has driven them throughout all these years.”
Having grown up within the walls of the heritage-listed building, Tristan has many fond memories of working alongside his parents as a child. After stints in the film and hospitality sectors across Australia, he returned home eight years ago to help manage the business.
Now 42, Tristan is preparing to take over the reins from his parents upon their retirement.
“I spent a lot of my childhood running around outside the shop after school and helping with the restoration of items and machines wherever I could,” says Tristan. “It really was my playground, and whilst I went off and did other things with my life, I kept being drawn back to it.”
It’s no secret that the undulating landscape of the once-thriving CBD, now marred by economic downturns, has cast its shadow upon businesses in the vicinity, and throughout the years, The Speckled Hen has not been immune.
But, despite the challenges, the Fleming family has weathered the storm, and in 2020, the store celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Ian attributes such longevity to their customer-focused approach, and owning their building, which he says offered them a semblance of resilience compared to other businesses in the area.
“If we did not own our building, it would have been a very different story for us,” explains Ian.
“We’re fortunate that we don’t have to worry about paying rent. For us, as long as we can make some sort of wage and keep the place going, that’s what we do.
“We set it up more as a hobby, not so much a business, and that’s how it’s always been. But when you’re doing it as a commercial business and you’ve got all those expenses, it’s very difficult and people haven’t been able to maintain that.”
Ian points out that these challenges are not unique to Townsville and instead are being encountered on a global scale.
He believes the key to reviving the CBD hinges on placing tourism and leisure at the front and centre of revitalisation efforts.
“When we first opened all those years ago, the city centre was buoyant, everything was centralised here on Flinders Street,” continues Ian.
“Every city in the world faces similar issues because retail has changed. All the activities that used to take place in the city centre, like banking and insurance, are all gone and done online.
“The CBD needs to shift its identity from a purely commercial and financial situation to a centre of tourism, lifestyle, and leisure. We need giftware stores, coffee lounges, entertainment, boutiques, and more of a focus on our heritage-listed buildings because that’s what tourists want.”
As for the future of The Speckled Hen? “We don’t have plans of going anywhere anytime soon,” adds Ian. “Besides, what else would we do in retirement?”
Main image: Tristan and Ian Fleming
Image credits: Sonia Warrell – Hello Muse
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