The Borrowed Nursery plants a new Brisbane location at Colwill Place
While all eyes have been drawn to the work currently being undertaken restoring prominently positioned retail strip Colwill Place in Windsor, the revitalised hub’s first tenant has already quietly opened behind it. Beloved Gold Coast-born plant, pot and gift store The Borrowed Nursery has just sprouted a second locale in an old mechanic shed at behind the precinct, establishing a must-visit treasure trove of locally grown plants, bespoke ceramic vessels and artisan-crafted gifts. Oh, and the space doubles as a venue for hire! Here’s what you need to know about this charming newcomer …
Expanding one’s business in the middle of a pandemic is a risky endeavour, but as far as plants are concerned, the foliage game is thriving. Chalk it up to folks wanting to spruce up the spaces they’ve been forced to spend more time in, or more people developing a green thumb as a quarantine hobby. Either way, for Lauren Lance – head honcho of plant and pot store and sought-after event space The Borrowed Nursery – growing her portfolio was less about taking a risk and more about seizing an opportunity. Brisbane residents have been travelling to The Borrowed Nursery’s Mermaid Beach location in greater numbers in recent years – a trend that gradually built Lauren’s interest and confidence in the viability of a northern expansion. A two-year location-scouting period finally paid dividends when Lauren was offered a spot in Colwill Place’s revitalised retail line-up. A vacant mechanic’s shed behind the building – much like the one Lauren had made a home out of for the Mermaid Beach store – was available, a serendipitous coincidence that was too perfect to ignore. After signing on, Lauren and her team tidied up the airy space with a fresh lick of paint and the addition of some new roof panels to allow extra sunlight, while upcycled workbenches, shelves sourced from an old woodworkers and an eclectic mix of rustic pieces were snagged for furnishings. Naturally, much of the venue’s dressing is provided by the product range – plants, pots and homewares cover every available inch of shelf space and much of the floor plan, making The Borrowed Nursery a veritable oasis of colour.