New resident to Donald, Lara Dormain has joined the shared shop with her business, “Take a seat with Lara”.
Lara creates custom made art noveau designer chairs. Her range includes Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean and Marilyn Monroe. Lara also rejuvenates tables and other furniture, turning them into fascinating art decoupage show pieces.
Donald Shared Shop has been operating for six months and there are now 14 different businesses residing in Basset’s building. Each one brings a unique style and range of products that add to the quirky atmosphere that the shop promotes.
Bev’s Baubles jewellery and clothing continues to operate alongside the other traders. Whilst Bev condensed her stock to allow room for others, she is still providing comfortable clothing and a vast range of jewellery, beads and specialty soaps.
Deb Arnel is another new arrival to Donald who also shares the space in Bassets building. Benson’s Bowties and Bandanas has many handmade accessories for your pet dog. There are different sized walking harnesses, jackets, collars as well as food bowls and treat bags. Deb also produces custom made coffee cups and wine glasses, amid novelty gifts and vintage signs.
Also participating in the share shop is local “Snowy” Landwehr, who has a beautiful display of hand crafted wreaths, amazing bird houses created from timber and pressed metal, handmade furniture plus vintage wares and wicker baskets.
Kez Duncan, trading as Ask for Art, offers screen printed Donald merchandise including tea towels, handkerchiefs, cushion covers and shopping bags. There is also a selection of postcards featuring Donald attractions. Kez also has original artwork and painted handsaws for sale.
Brenden Murphy of 1 Mile to Go Photography has a small selection of his beautiful photography on display. Brenden’s images capture Donald and surrounding countryside in spectacular colour and aerial views.
The shop has also established Basset’s Office, an alternative and affordable work station in a discreet and confidential setting in the “heart” of the shop: it is the original Basset building office!
Basset’s building hosts the shared shops and is the result from months of hard work with Pat Timmons from Rural Business & Community and FRRR’s “Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought” funding. Rural Business & Community is also working to establish a small Shared Shop Trail in the north west – in the shadows of the excellent Silo Art Trail.
There are more traders who have joined in, who shall look forward to sharing and promoting their business and products in another “Buloke Times” edition. Stay tuned, but if you can’t wait, head into the Donald Shared Shop and take the time to look around and see the variety of goods available.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 4 February 2025.
