A long vacant North Ward corner has come to life with the opening of the new Renegade Australia gift shop and café.
Many of us are familiar with the Renegade Gift Shop located inside the Warrina Arcade in Currajong, and it’s a delight to find a second location in a different part of town.
“It came about by happy accident,” says Renegade’s founder Karissa Chase.
“I was looking to expand the footprint at the Warrina Store when I stumbled across this vacant space. I couldn’t believe such a great position was just waiting for the right vision. I did a walk through and emailed a proposal on the very same day.”
The new store largely stocks Australian made gift items including jewellery, candles, cards, linen and pottery.
“I wanted a space that was warm and welcoming, where people would shop or stop and enjoy a coffee in a beautiful, relaxed environment.”
“The locals are loving the convenience of having coffee so close and are thrilled we have brought this corner back to life. The last tenant was here in 2016 so it’s been vacant a long time.”
The Renegade Handmade market began in 2013 when then full-time potter, Karissa Chase moved back to Townsville after 20 years of living away in Brisbane and America.
“My focus has been to provide a venue for those with a passion to create, but also a head for business and a drive to expand their possibilities. I never dreamed it would become a monthly market, two retail locations and a massive Christmas event,” she says.
A large part of Renegade’s success lies with the locals that are making a true effort to investigate where they’re spending their hard-earned money. The benefits of the local multiplier effect on our economy is magic for the Townsville community.
“We’ve returned over 3 million dollars to local and Australian creatives through Renegade’s brick and mortar stores, and that’s not even including the spend that happens directly with the stallholders at our markets throughout the year.”
You can visit the original Renegade Gift Shop at the Warrina Arcade in Illuka Street, Currajong. Its hours are Monday to Friday 9-4, and weekends 9-3. The new store is located on the corner or Eyre and Landsborough streets in North Ward. The gift shop and café is open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm, and weekends 8am to 3pm.
