The 1887 former bank building in Barker Street, Casino has been given a new lease of life with the opening of Wild Petals Market – a home decor gift shop yesterday, Saturday, May 4.

Karen and Dieter Mayer bought the imposing building to house a shop for their daughter Maddy Mayer.

The building used to be bank, it’s been a newspaper office and most recently was a watchmakers shop.

Now it’s Maddy’s shop filled with pretty things, many of them pink – Maddy’s favourite colour.

Some interior walls have been knocked down to give space for the shelves of ornaments, candles, hats, silk flowers, cushions and gifts.

Karen and Dieter plan to repaint the exterior of the building in its original Federation colours.

The most important thing is providing a place for Maddy.

When Maddy left school she did many jobs, Karen said.

“We thought if there wasn’t a place for her, we’d create a place for her,” she said.

Maddy loves Casino. She’s been a Beef Week Queen entrant and volunteers at COW FM as a radio presenter.

“I feel safe here,” she said.

She likes the vases and flowers.

Karen said the fuller the town is with interesting shops the better.

“We’ve talked about this for years. We’ve been to so many towns with a cute shopping experience.”

The shop is brimming with cute items. Some have come from Perth, plants are about to arrive from Alstonville and Karen is keen to stock as many local products as she can.

Wild Petals Market is open weekdays 9am–4pm and on the occasional Saturday. The grand opening is tomorrow, Monday, May 6.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 5 May 2024.