For those that aren’t familiar, Lonsdale Street Traders is made up of a selection of stores, each bursting with originality, and contributing to a lucky-dip experience for visitors. Here is a guide to what you can expect to find there, and make sure you spare at least a few hours to explore.

Moxom + Whitney
This gorgeous florist manages to surprise us regularly with their innovative bunches and creative twists. A one-off birthday gift or a completely styled event (such as a wedding or smaller dinner party) wouldn’t be complete without a touch of Moxom + Whitney. They also have a bunch of pretty terrariums (some of which have funny personalities within their glass interiors).

Frith St
It’s the cutest and coolest little store ever! Frith St is stocked with vintage wares, gowns, accessories and more. What did we love? The never-ending range of tea cups.

Shiro
Shiro stocks a beautiful collection of handcrafted objects from Japan. The team fly down to Tokyo to individually select the best products, which are chosen for their aesthetic attributes, as well as their functional and historical qualities. Some of the products are made from independent traditional artists and craftsmen which would be very hard to find in Tokyo.

Wildwood
This store has been inside the traders for a little while now stocking a collection of clothing, art and records. We love how it’s decorated with hanging flower pots, wooden displays and candles.

Sweet Bones Bakery
This delicious little organic and vegan bakery/cafe is always cooking up something new and satisfying a sweet tooth. Open for breakfast, lunch and coffee, visiting Sweet Bones is always a delight with seating inside or outside in the sunny courtyard out the back.

Danny’s
A new addition to Lonsdale Street Traders is Danny’s, which specialises in vinyl format music (both new and pre-loved). They also have an impressive range of DVDs covering genres from classics and westerns to horror and cult, and there is also a small library of paper-back and hard-cover books relating to film, music and pop-culture.

Rare Hair
This salon has a relaxed attitude but one with a spot-on technique. The team of two, Matt and Pat, brings different styles and techniques and the pair has really become known for their cool vibe.

Handsome Pretty
This little store is a must-visit. I bet you’ll not only want to leave with one treasure, but at least ten! There is a range of hand-picked wares, and the store is bright with a lot of patterns and textures available to buy.

Unit Concepts (Micro)
A great store to visit if you are looking for a really cool, quirky, ‘out-there’ and personal gift for someone. You can find traditional gifts here like pots, knitted throws, lamps, phone cases, candles and books, but then there’s the really quirky stuff like a fish flask, taco truck, tattoo cookies, neon cat pillows and egglings…

Shredders Board Store
Shredders is Canberra’s only Downhill, Skateboard, and Longboard Specialist. They moved into The Traders from their last store down the road and even though they are tucked around the corner in a smaller space, they are still stocking heaps of awesome accessories, boards, clothing and more!

Pod
Pod is a creative hub, an initiative by Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre in co-operation with Lonsdale Street Traders. Aimed at supporting members, emerging makers, artists, co-operatives, curators, writers and educators, it’s like a mini art gallery that is constantly changing with new works.

Fivefold Studio
FIVEFOLD studio is an artist-run studio gallery representing both emerging and established designer makers who specialise in contemporary jewellery. You are guaranteed pieces that are original and very special from this store, and much of it is made by locals.

iTrip iSkip
It’s been here for a while now, but this is a smaller version of the previous store, and manages to maintain the same big personality. iTrip iSkip is so full of designer style, stocking much-loved brands including Vanishing Elephant, Secret South and Status Anxiety (just to name a few). With a range of hand-selected and eclectic home-wares, we just love that there is always a new find inside at every visit.

Box
This is the place for handmade jewellery and accessories for men and women. The pieces found at Box are strong, architectural and sculptural, and you will also find the odd object making for interesting desk or bedside ornaments.

Hipsley Lane
Vintage everything. Hipsley (named after Dr Eben Hipsley – the initiator of Lifeline Canberra) is owned and operated by Lifeline Canberra and raises much needed funds for their telephone counselling service. There you will find some of the best vintage clothing, accessories and home wares in Canberra. BUT… the bad news is that Hipsley Lane is closing its doors at the end of the month. The good news is they are having a goodbye shin-dig and EVEN BETTER NEWS is that stock has been dramatically reduced – so make sure you pop in ASAP!

P.s I am going back to buy that Taco Truck – so cool!

Images sourced from individual Traders Facebook Pages