Looking to do some holiday shopping? There’s plenty of businesses open over the holiday break and “CityNews” speaks to a few in this sponsored post.
Large range of native plants
COOL Country Nativesnative Australian plants
From December 29-31 the business will be open from 10am to 2pm, before returning to regular hours on January 4, from 8.30am to 5pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 4.30pm on weekends.
With a dedicated team of knowledgeable staff, Karen says they’re happy to talk to customers and help them with any queries.
“Native plants are drought hardy and the choice is getting bigger every year with the increase of good wholesale growers,” she says.
“We specialise in local species as well as hardy and cold tolerant natives, and carry a large range of native plant varieties, ranging in size from tubestock to 200mm, plus a growing range of advanced stock.
“Shoppers can find groundcovers, grasses, ferns, climbers and small-to-large shrubs and trees such as acacia, banksia, crowea, daisies, ferns and grevillea.”
Cool Country Natives also stocks and propagates a range of species local to the Canberra region.
“Our growth from humble beginnings has been steady and reliable and assures us of the popularity of native plants in our area,” says Karen
“Ask us to try and source that hard to find plant.”
Cool Country Natives, 5A Beltana Road, Pialligo. Call 6257 6666, email retail@coolcountrynatives.com.au or visit coolcountrynatives.com.au
Holiday deals at the bottle shop
PAUL Cains, owner of Prohibition Bottle Shop Kingston and Curtin has opened his Curtin store just in time for the holidays.
“We have a huge Canberra offering of wines and local spirits, as well as a huge supply of Japanese and Tasmanian whiskeys,” he says.
There’s plenty of holiday deals on, too, with Paul saying he’s got member offers on local wines, the electric pink vodka cruiser is exclusive to his company and he carries all the local beers.
He says there’s an equal and extensive range of options available at both of the independently owned stores.
Opening hours change over the holiday period.
The Kingston store will open December 24, 11am-9pm.
December 25, 26, 28, and January 1 it’s open 10am-6pm.
December 27 and January 3 will be open 11am-6pm.
The Curtin store will be closed on Christmas Day.
On December 24 and 31 it opens 9am-9pm.
December 26, 27 and January 1, 3 the opening hours are 10am-6pm.
“Customers can always feel free to have a chat with our team of great staff, who do a wonderful job,” says Paul.
Prohibition Bottle Shop, 39 Eastlake Parade, Kingston and Shop 1, 44 Curtin Place, Curtin. Call 6295 0864 or email prohibitionbottleshop@gmail.com
Luxury but affordable bath products
KIRKWOOD Body and Bath makes handmade, luxury body and bath products and soy candles at a sensible price, says owner Cecile Whatman.
“Our products are made as purely as possible and are completely free of any harsh chemicals.”
Cecile says they avoid palm oil, don’t test on animals and have products for hair, feet and everything in between.
“Creating new products is a creative outlet,” she says, “we have doughnut and cupcake bath bombs that look good enough to eat.”
She has been making soap and creams for her family for more than 25 years, but moved into commercial production five years ago.
“When a customer comes back to say they loved the product, or one of the magnesium balms relieved something, that’s very rewarding. As a boutique business we get to know our customers. It is wonderful,” says Cecile.
The website never closes, so people are encouraged to order there. The storefront will be open with extended trading hours until December 28.
It reopens January 2 and closes at 7pm on Fridays for the month.
Kirkwood Body and Bath, Belconnen Mall. Call 0450 523362, email kirkwoodbodybath@gmail.com or visit kirkwoodbodyandbath.com.au
Award-winning local wine
HAVING just won best cabernet sauvignon at the NSW Wine Awards, Shaw Wines is excited to welcome people in for a taste, says business development manager Karen Shaw.
“Cabernet does particularly well at our vineyard so we’re very pleased to have won the trophy,” she says.
Having made reds and whites in the region’s largest vineyard for more than 20 years, Karen says Shaw Wines specialises in an “exquisite” range of classics such as riesling, shiraz, semillon and merlot.
“Our winemaking team has selectively picked the finest parcels of fruit direct from the estate vineyard to craft the limited production reserve range,” she says.
“Our estate label is our cellar door range, where we have won most of our critical acclaim.
“The whites are lightly pressed using free-run juice and the reds are oaked in predominantly French oak barrels for two years prior to bottling.”
Shaw Wines offers keen connoisseurs membership to a special wine club, too.
“Members of the club get discounts on all their wine and get special invitations to our wine dinners that we hold in our cellar,” she says.
“We’ll be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day but we’ll be open from 10am to 5pm every other day.”
Shaw Wines, 34 Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman. Call 6227 5827 or visit shawwines.com.au
Lose yourself in John’s amazing fun maze
OWNER John GrantGranties Maze
It features rides and attractions for people of all ages.
“Over the years, I intend to keep adding new attractions,” he says.
The main attraction is a maze consisting of 2000 trees that have been planted to create a network of paths and hedges.
“It’s designed as a puzzle through which one navigates with the objective of solving the puzzle and winning a prize – an ice cream,” says John.
There’s also mini golf, pony rides, electric kids’ cars, archery and playground equipment, “only a two-hour drive from Canberra.”
All rides are activated by coupons, which can be purchased at the office. All unused coupons can be reused on the next visit.
Granties Maze is open every day except Wednesdays, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Open 9am-4pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm on weekends.
Granties Maze, 25 Donovan Road, Foxground. Call 0407 284888, email jbg1948@yahoo.com.au or visit grantiesmaze.com.au
Experience dedicated car-detailing services
WHETHER enhancing car paint to showroom shine or getting a comprehensive detail to bring it back to condition, Enzo Auto Detailing owner Albert Tang says his dedicated team endeavours to meet all expectations.
“Our team are leading experts in auto detailing, ceramic-coating paint protection, window tinting and paint-protection films,” says Albert.
“We regard our reputation and our clients’ satisfaction as the priority. With passion and professionalism, our experienced team guarantees the best possible clean as well as durable protection your vehicle deserves.”
Albert says Enzo Auto Detailing is an Opti-Coat Canberra certified installer, which by using cutting-edge technology can make a car look as amazing as it did the day it left the showroom.
He also says their window tinting provides “unbeatable” UV protection and heat resistance and their paint protection films (PPF) offer vehicles a tough defence against the harsh road.
“If you enjoy driving your car the way it was meant to be driven, PPF must be your superior choice,” says Albert.
Enzo Auto Detailing, Unit 6-7/15 Darling Street, Mitchell. Call 0481 174589, visit enzoautodetailing.com or email info@enzoautodetailing.com
Drop by some unique local markets
FROM handmade jewellery to pet accessories, the Neighbours Market brings all the variety of local markets to the convenience of a shopping centre, says managing director Annelie Duffell.
“We’ve brought the local craft market, the produce market, the farming market and more all together into a shopping-centre space,” she says.
“People can find hand-made candles, soaps, ceramics, jams, teas, jewellery and so much more.
“One 22-year-old hand paints each individual earring she makes so each one is a little bit different.”
Annelie says it’s the mission of the Neighbours Market to support local business, especially after the difficulties COVID-19 has brought.
“People have gone through a tough period of isolation, many have had their lives changed overnight and have had to find an alternative way to make money,” she says.
“What we’re trying to do is create community connections and work towards stimulating the economy in this space of Australia by driving small-business growth.”
Neighbours Market. Belconnen Westfield opposite Dan Murphy’s and Aldi. Search Neighbours Market on Instagram.
Pamper the ones you love these holidays
QUINTESSENCE nail and beauty in Belconnen is offering gift vouchers, skin care kits, gift sets, makeup sets, handmade earrings and flower arrangements, candles, diffusers and more for the holiday season, says owner Alicia Fragopoulos.
“We are a one-stop beauty shop for all beauty needs.”
They provide waxing and tinting services, manicures and pedicures, massages, facials, tanning, laser hair removal, lash extensions, lash lifts, henna brows, brow lamination, teeth whitening and spa packages.
Alicia says she loves the feeling of being pampered and relaxed, and purchased the business in 2016 to provide the same kind of escape for others.
“Every day brings different treatments, clients and conversations. It’s very rewarding to see clients leaving happy, fresh and relaxed.”
“We are professional, caring and kind and enjoy making people look and feel good,” she says.
Quintessence nail and beauty, 2/9 Page Place, Page. Call 6278 5334, email quintessencenailandbeauty@iinet.net.au or visit beautysalonbelconnen.com.au
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