Filled with a delightful range of interesting ventures, we’re grateful to spend our workdays here, enjoying being a part of Mermaid Beach’s creative precinct.
We wanted to share all the amazing experiences available in our neighbourhood. We’re endlessly inspired by the resilience, hard work and creativity that our Cronulla community demonstrates and encourage you to stop by when you’re in the area.
The Borrowed Nursery
The Borrowed Nursery retail store showcases a carefully selected collection of plants, pots, homewares and furniture. Theirr plant hire services Brisbane, Gold Coast and as far north to Noosa and south to Byron Bay and surrounds.
Lauren and her wonderful team have created something incredible. We’re lucky enough to have the iconic shopfront as the view from our front office! The Borrowed Nursery space is our favourite place to go for plants, homewares and other delights. We often go home trying to find room to add yet another pot plant to our collections. It’s easy to see why the store is so popular – Lauren’s hard work and energy has established something that is both inspiring and beautiful.
We managed to catch Lauren in between deliveries and errands for a quick chat.
Tell us a little about The Borrowed Nursery and what you do?
Based in Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast in Queensland, we provide plants for all kinds of events and beautifully considered spaces. Working with our clients and customers, combining creativity and knowledge to achieve the perfect event, the perfect space or simply the perfect piece. Our range is available for both purchase and hire and our space is available to hire for a range of events.
What's your favourite part of life at The Borrowed Nursery?
I love that no day is the same. I know that’s the case for a lot of small business owners, but for us in particular with our work branching across a range of services, each day is so varied. It could be spent in the shop working in the space, out completing watering and maintenance at one of the commercial spaces we service, delivering a gift hamper for our sister company, The Botanica Box, delivering plants to a hire job or hosting an event in the space.
What are you reading/listening/watching at the moment?
I’m a serial binge watcher, so by the time this is published, I’ll be onto the next series on Netflix. I recently watched Ozark and the Sinner, both really dark but so enthralling. I’m currently watching Lennox Hill which is a documentary following four doctors in New Yorks Lennox Hill Hospital.
Favourite place to frequent on the Gold Coast?
Long lunches are my favourite thing to do, so I’m super excited to see restrictions lifted and getting back out to enjoy the beautiful restaurants we have here. The Tropic is my favourite spot for a long lunch for is amazing food, views and overall experience
Tell us one of your dreams for the future?
Late last year I renovated the shed at the back of my house to a studio which is on AirBNB. Being close to the airport I called it The Hangar and featured aviation themes in the design. With my background in interior design I would love to do more projects like this, hopefully one day incorporating retail, hospitality and accommodation in the one venue as an overall experience for guests to enjoy.
COVID-19 was a real curve ball. How have you adapted to the "new world"?
It was definitely scary at the start of this as we immediately lost all of our plant and venue hire work. Thankfully being in the homewares and nursery industry, we saw growth in our retail offering with people spending more time at home. We have focussed on this, increasing our core stock and expanding our retail range.
What's one thing you really appreciate at the moment?
I think this time has really helped me to appreciate time with friends and family!
Is there anything exciting coming up that we should know about?
We are so excited to be opening a second store and venue space in Brisbane. It’s very early days, but we are excited to create a new space – more on that soon. We’re also making a change to our sister brand The Botanica Box – more to come in that space too, but it will include a new look, larger range and expanded services areas.
Where can our community connect with you online?
We’ve kept it pretty old school, sticking with a bricks and mortar model for our retail service. Instagram is a great way to stay in the loop with our new arrivals. You can also buy the Botanica Box online which deliveries north to Brisbane and south to Byron Bay and the surrounding suburbs.
Website
Instagram
19KAREN Contemporary Artspace
With an incredible roster of national, local and international talent flowing through her exhibition spaces, 19Karen is a creative marvel. Full of colour and inspiration, the space is an elevated experience that invites full immersion. With incredible attention to detail, the Gallery Director, Terri, is a prolific collector and truly understands what it is to love art. Her passion and dedication is infectious.
The 19Karen Gallery is divided into multiple interconnected exhibition spaces. Each one differs in size, providing several individual alcoves to wander through. A favourite is the private gallery, where 19Karen Director Terri exhibits a taste of her private collection. It is the jewel in the crown, unabashedly showcasing her love of art. It acts as testament to her mission – ‘Choose art you love. Buy it, show it, share it.’
The gallery now represents approximately 80 artists working across Urban and Street art to Pop art, Expressionism, Contemporary Figurative and Abstract to Realism, Surrealism and Pop Surrealism – and anything in between. This is all enmeshed into one massive white structure and carefully inserted into a 700 square meter converted warehouse with high ceilings and haloed in light, not unlike a shrine.
Tell us a little about 19Karen Contemporary Artspace and what you do?
19Karen is the first gallery in Australia to come out of an old warehouse and the first gallery to take a chance on emerging international artists. We now represent 90 artists from all over the world, Australia included and our gallery space is the largest commercial gallery available in Queensland and maybe even in Australia. With 750m2 of gallery space divided into 4 main galleries, a stockroom, and a studio for our Artist in Residence program.
What's your favourite part of life at 19Karen?
I love discovering new artists and collecting art but I also love the position where we are. I have lived in Mermaid Beach since 1988 and have seen it change ten fold. It is still changing.
What are you reading/listening to/watching at the moment?
I love watching documentaries, any type of documentaries but I don't read much as my attention span has been diminishing since the iPhone and Instagram has been invented.
Favourite place to frequent on the Gold Coast?
I don't go out much these days but when I do, it is Pacific Fair for shopping, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach and Burleigh for dining or coffee and walking on the beach when I have the time.
Tell us one of your dreams for the future?
Since I will be 70 years old in September, there are not many more dreams for me to achieve. I want to be healthy so that I can continue running this gallery and for more of the locals to discover and support us. We have only a handful of really great collectors from the Gold Coast. The rest of our collectors come from overseas and interstate.
COVID-19 was a real curve ball. How have you adapted to the “new world”?
Covid019 did not affect my lifestyle in any serious way. I would still come to work and do my thing. If anything Covid-19 has been really good for the art business. I think people had more time on their hands to browse the net and buy art.
What’s on thing that you really appreciate at the moment?
I appreciate that I am still alive, walking and talking but most importantly living in this part of the world. I love the Gold Coast and wouldn't live anywhere else in the world.
Is there anything exciting coming up that we should know about?
We have a very exciting solo show coming up in September. It will be the first one for the year and with a local artist, Britty Em – A very exciting artist to watch!
Where can our community connect with you online?
The community can connect with us on Instagram.
Rubber Jungle
Rubber Jungle Wetsuits custom make quality neoprene wetsuits for water ski, jet ski, wake boarding, surf dive and sailing. When speaking to the down-to-earth Rubber Jungle team, the first thing you notice is their incredible attention to detail and genuine passion for the industry. An open workshop means that you can see the considered, hand-made process that is necessary to produce such high quality garments.
Based on the Gold Coast, Rubber Jungle have been manufacturing wetsuits for over 30 years. Their graphic design techniques use the latest technology in digital printing to ensure their wetsuits are not only the highest possible quality, but so that they look amazing too. Rubber Jungle also offer an alteration and repair service for all types of wetsuits. Their range of Custom Wetsuits can be custom made for all ages and sizes.
Tell us a little about Rubber Jungle and what you do?
We manufacture wetsuits & custom wetsuits for most water sports, we also produce neoprene promo products (beer coolers) for business clubs, pubs etc.
We supply neoprene undergarments for the film industry, both here and overseas, such as stunt padding.
What's your favourite part of life at Rubber Jungle?
Seeing the progression of all the water sports we are involved in and watching the athletes we support achieve good results.
What are you reading/listening/watching at the moment?
I’m reading a lot of stupid things due to changing government standards at the moment (definitely not leisure related) for work.
I have just recently jumped on the podcast wagon as I'm sick of listening to "news". Podcasts involving motor racing... Watching docos... and the Discovery Channel...
Favourite place to frequent on the Gold Coast?
The whole bloody lot really; the beach and the hinterland on the motorbike.
Tell us one of your dreams for the future?
Stay happy!
COVID-19 was a real curve ball. How have you adapted to the "new world"?
By focusing on stuff that really matters....
What's one thing you really appreciate at the moment?
Australia!
Is there anything exciting coming up that we should know about?
Summer... haha and Australia!
Where can our community connect with you online?
Morena Espresso
Welcome to Morena Espresso, a Latin-Kiwi inspired café, serving spectacular locally roasted coffee. Morena is our everyday go-to for coffee that is reliably delicious and made to perfection. Bel, Stefan and their small crew are full of sunshine and energy – conversation and a friendly laugh are always on the menu.
The Morena space is an artisan-looking warehouse, where you'll find comfy couches, groovy art and outdoor lane way seating. The coffee hub space offers cosy areas to work, chill, enjoy coffee with delicious homemade toasties, real açaí bowls and smoothies, locally baked brownies or a fresh croissant.
You can shop local, independent and international brands like Shuturp, Kippy skateboards, Just One Lily jewellery, skincare, candles and so much more. Browse around and you'll find art in every corner, especially on the "arte" wall with monthly exhibitions of photography or paintings – Morena has our heart with their ongoing support for artists, small businesses and creatives.
Tell us a little about Morena Espresso and what you do?
Hola amigos! Kia ora, whānau!
Morena Espresso is a Latin-Kiwi inspired coffee hub in Mermaid Beach.
Our space... a hip artisan looking warehouse, where you'll find comfy couches, groovy art and outdoor laneway sitting.
Our name... Morena in Spanish: Brunette - Mōrena in Te Reo Māori: Good Morning.
Us... Stefan; PT, Coach, Carpenter from NZ and Bel; our Marketing and Advertising Manager, Barista from Ecuador...
We started this business with the vision of bringing international culture and a different perspective to art, coffee, retail to the Gold Coast. We wanted to do something different, something you haven't seen in this awesome city – so we opened Morena Espresso with a very low budget but with all the love and energy we could possibly add.
The retail part: we offer a space to international, independent and local artists/brands to sell their creations. We have handmade hats from Ecuador, T-shirts from Burleigh Heads, jewellery, prints, Mexican skulls, lamps and hoops from Currumbin, flowers, hand painted chairs and heaps more. Actually, most things are for sale at Morena!
The food: we create simple but delicious foods. Our main focus is super cheesy toasties and Latin American Empanadas. Of course, you will find real Acai and other bowls, smoothies, vegan/GF and lots of super yummy treats!
The coffee: our goal was always to create our own blend. So, we now offer Morena Espresso Blend: a well-balanced, rich & smooth dark roast, with notes of stone fruit, salted caramel & chocolate.
The experience: We want to give people an experience from the very moment they walk into Morena, with art and funky decor in every corner – you walk in and you feel the relaxed vibes we have. Comfy couches, perfect coffee and awesome tunes all the time (world music) will make you feel at home but your home somewhere else in the world. :)
What's your favourite part of life at Morena?
The chats, the stories and the love of every single person we meet every day. The interaction, the bonds and beautiful friendships we are creating with customers. This is very special to us.
The fact that we are not from this beautiful country, and people are interested in our culture and want to learn from it, is incredible. We love it!
What are you reading/listening/watching at the moment?
Listening
Bel: Every little thing – Peter Doran
Stefan: Way Down – The Dangerous Summer
Reading
Bel: Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story - Arnold Schwarzenegger
Stefan: Fooled by Randomness – Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Watching
Bel and Stefan: The Universe/The people v. O.J. Simpson (Netflix)
Favourite place to frequent on the Gold Coast?
Gym: Loco HQ for suuuure
Bars: haven't been in a while haha but before COVID-19 we used to go to Eddie's Grub House
Restaurant: Lucky Buddha
Beaches: Tally Creek
Picnic spots: The back of Tally Creek haha or Mermaid Beach too :) Sometimes Mt. Tambourine
We like checking new spots every time we can really!
Tell us one of your dreams for the future?
To have 2 or 4 Morena Espressos and travel! Live between the GC and NZ.
COVID-19 was a real curve ball. How have you adapted to the "new world"?
Luckily for us, COVID-19 helped us so much!! It opened doors and it made us more known in the GC. We met new customers and we are very thankful for this.
What's one thing you really appreciate at the moment?
Our families are fine and healthy. Our families are not in this country and living away from them is hard, so we are very thankful that COVID-19 hasn’t affected any of them.
Is there anything exciting coming up that we should know about?
We are actually trying to do a little reno in the kitchen (more functional) and a new sitting area so people can be more comfortable. Some good changes are coming, including a small new menu!
Where can our community connect with you online?
