Northern Rivers Shopping Guide
During the holiday season - or any time of year - there's an amazing array of local businesses, shops and markets from the country to the coast where you can find the perfect gift for your loved ones, or yourself.
We asked some of the team at PRD Northern Rivers where they like to shop this time of year.
Jacquie Horder, Director
The most, most, most favourite for myself and for gifts is Book Warehouse but I also like Art Aspects Gallery (lots to look at and lots of nice affordable things too), Carrington Bazaar for browsing, The Leather Shop Kyogle, and I’ve spent a bit of time in Shoppe One 17.
For clothes, the lady in Hortons Fashion is lovely, and the lady in Jeanettes gave really lovely customer service and was very helpful. I love Gooleys for men’s gifts. They are so helpful and they stock things you won’t find in the chain stores.
I do browse Beachside Bargains sometimes around Christmas and I’ve bought gifts at the ABC shop in Ballina. There’s a shop in Ballina called Red Earth Jewellery that has lovely things.
Eltham Pantry is great to combine brunch with a bit of food shopping (I’m thinking we need to go on a mission and eat our way around the region in the New Year).
Lismore Car Boot Market and The Channon Market have lots to choose from and I usually go to the Bangalow Markets with my friend Corinne in December. The year before last, we went right before Christmas and bought heaps of red and white lilies for the house.
This year for the holidays, I am gifting local products, such as Brookies Gin and Brookies Mac, and I’ll buy cards from local artists (available directly from the artists or from local galleries).
Jill Runciman, Executive Assistant
I try to shop local as often as possible for the holidays, and we’re really spoiled for choice in the Northern Rivers. Each year before Christmas, the Kyogle Arts Council does a ‘Mini-Mudwood’ pop-up shop for a range of handmade gifts and artworks – it’s a great place to find all sorts of random treasures (even I have some of my works available for sale there!). The Leather Shop in Kyogle does beautiful and unique pieces for an extra-special gift.
In Lismore, Little Polli and the Blackbird always has something quirky and adorable, and Vintique and Carrington Bazaar are great to browse for unusual vintage items.
I also love op shops, but you have to be in the mood to go exploring, and I always walk out with an armful of books. My husband and I have a tradition where we try to find the worst (tackiest or most ridiculous) present we can for each other on a $5 budget, and the op shops are invaluable for this. Last year he got a bright orange t-shirt that says ‘I don’t need Google, my wife already knows everything’; he bought me an ashtray (I don’t smoke).
For my daughters, I usually buy them something to read from Book Warehouse in Lismore, some art supplies from Gateway Office supplies in Kyogle, and something fun from Toy Kingdom.
Leigh Fraser, Property Manager
For local Christmas shopping this year, you can’t go past Arum in Casino – they have beautiful women’s clothing which is ideal for Christmas day and for your Christmas party get-togethers. They also stock lovely candles, baskets, jewelry, handbags and wallets that make great gifts.
Fitzmax in Casino sell really good country gear along with some gorgeous dresses at a reasonable price.
Intersport in Lismore and Casino have a broad range of sporting goods, including scooters, trampolines and sports equipment.
Other places of interest are the Casino Disposals, which is great for your camping needs if you’re going away over the holidays and also for gifts for your dad, brother, uncle, etc. I also like to have to shop at Brown and Hurley as my hubby and son are little truckers.
Courtney Lane, Property Manager
Wherever you go in Lismore, Casino or Kyogle there are so many specialty stores in the CBD as well as Lismore Square. I like to keep my shopping local rather than online.
