A Treasure Trove of Delights at New Lambton Village Courtyard
New Lambton has no shortage of boutiques, restaurants and cafés, but if you love fashion, have a flair for style and enjoy shopping for homewares, jewellery, designer shoes and clothing labels that are not typically available in shopping centres, then make a trip to the New Lambton Village Courtyard tucked away at 89 Regent Street New Lambton.
Located directly across from New Lambton Public School and just steps away from Alma Street, New Lambton Village Courtyard is a diverse collection of boutiques stocking men and women’s fashion, designer label shoes, homewares, jewellery, books and beautiful gifts as well as a bakery and restaurant - café – all opening to an outside leafy courtyard.
This is where the local fashionistas go to play. Whether you’re looking for an edgy dress for a night out, a casual statement tee paired with bold accessories, or designer shoes you will find it amongst this delightful group of stores. The Courtyard is also a popular meeting place for locals taking some time out over a relaxing coffee or a place to go for a delicious breakfast or lunch.
The Blind Baker – Local favourites from a local favourite
To many The Blind Baker needs no introduction – they are famous for their delicious pies, breads and tarts.
No, the baker isn’t really blind. Instead, the name comes from the nearly lost art of baking pies and tarts wherein the pastry is covered with greaseproof paper, weighed down and baked before the filling is added a.k.a. ‘blind baking’.
The Blind Baker was started in 2015 by Lincoln and Kate Hertogs, who also manage the adjacent Chaddies on Regent. They spotted an opportunity for New Lambton to have its own artisan bakery and embraced the challenge of creating something new and unique.
"People are becoming more interested in what they are eating, the story behind the product and the chance to support something local, " says Lincoln. "Here at The Blind Baker you can speak directly to the baker and ask how the bread is made and what’s in it. Try doing that at the supermarket!"
The bakery focuses on traditional method sourdoughs, European-style house breads and handmade slices and tarts. There are also a few modern classics such as scrolls and croissants, perfect for a quick bite on the run or the school lunchbox.
It’s been said that The Blind Baker produces Newcastle’s best pies and it’s hard to disagree. The beef and Guinness pie is made with real chunky beef, braised for six hours with vegetables, stock and stout. This filling is enclosed in flaky puff pastry and baked until golden brown. Be sure to get there early to avoid missing out on this masterpiece. Newcastle’s best? You be the judge.
The Blind Baker also has wide range of gluten free products, with an emphasis on fresh baked bread and rolls, slices and pies. With a growing number of people experiencing food allergies, the team is happy to discuss the needs of customers so don’t hesitate to give them a call. The Blind Baker is open from 6.30am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday and 6.30 to 1pm on Saturday.
Chaddies on Regent – Where locals love to meet Renowned for its relaxed and homely atmosphere, Chaddies on Regent has been New Lambton’s favourite meeting spot for over twenty years. Set in a leafy courtyard, it’s the perfect spot for a quick coffee or a long, comfortable lunch with friends.
Breakfast favourites, such as corn fritters, freshly baked sourdough with mushrooms, or good old bacon and eggs are sure to satisfy any appetite.
Lunch offerings are home-style classics, the kind you would make at home if you had time! Quiche, jacket potatoes, fresh salads and a wide range of gourmet sandwiches will leave you spoilt for choice. But be warned, you will find it impossible to go past the famous passionfruit sponge cake, so make sure you leave some room.
It’s also rare these days to find a café which bakes its own cakes, but Chaddies prides itself on baking scones and cakes every day. They believe fresh is definitely best.
So what makes Chaddies so popular? Owner Lincoln believes it is the relaxed atmosphere, consistent food and the beautiful courtyard with its golden Robina tree which has made Chaddies on Regent such a stayer in the ever changing Newcastle café scene.
Chaddies is open on weekdays for breakfast and lunch from 7.30am to 3pm. Coffee and cake to 5pm and on Saturday 7.30am to 2pm.
Parker & Barrow – New Lambton’s first mixed men’s and women’s fashion boutique Parker & Barrow was created by Lisa Marks who previously managed the women’s clothing and homeware store Just Pink before then reinventing the store to create a younger more gender-neutral space. The aim was to provide wearable, affordable fashion for men and women aged 20 plus. The name Parker & Barrow was taken from her two border collies Bonnie and Clyde and the infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
“I wanted something to represent the male and female side of the store, something personal but not too cliché. I was google searching Bonnie and Clyde one day and once I read those surnames it just stuck with me” said Lisa.
Parker & Barrow carry lots of small independent Australian labels such as Dressy Bessy, Pink Stitch, August St, Jersey Girl and Outside the Five as well as some well-known and established labels such as Sass, Betty Basic, Elwood, St Goliath and Silent Theory.
They also stock beautiful body products for men and women from Australian designed and manufactured label Urban Rituelle, as well as gorgeous bags and jewellery from labels that include asLokoa and B.Sirius.
Kate Devine – A boutique as individual as you are. Kate Devine is a unique women's boutique offering a range of clothing labels that are not available in the shopping centres and, for the most part, in other stores in Newcastle. At Kate Devine, their style is a relaxed, individual, lifestyle look which allows you to put your own personality into what you wear.
Mix and match in a way that works for you. Although the label line-up changes regularly to reflect new looks (and keep their regular customers inspired), some of their all-time favourite labels include Maud Dainty from Melbourne, Foil - a well-priced and easy to wear label from New Zealand, Vigorella which is designed and made in Australia and is such an easy label for all those who are travelling.
There is also an ever changing selection of great leather bags from Oran leather and beautiful boho-inspired jewellery from Lazurah. Another big favourite is the range of superb candles from the Glasshouse candle range - a perfect pick me up or a great gift.
If you like to wander and browse, seeking inspiration for your new season wardrobe or if you are someone who prefers some guidance and assistance, they are more than happy to accommodate your needs. You'll get honest, helpful suggestions as well as friendly service and advice when you venture into Kate Devine. The one thing they value above everything else is providing women with clothes that work for their lifestyle and that they feel good in - pieces which will become favourites season after season.... Call in and have a look, there's lots of Autumn stock now being delivered.
Style on Regent – A treasure trove filled with beautiful shoes, clothing, handbags, scarves and jewellery
For the past ten years, Style on Regent has successfully traded and built a loyal client base all over the Hunter and beyond.
When owner, Deslie Young purchased this unique boutique from the original owners over four years ago, she set about introducing a range of new and exciting labels while also keeping all the favourite brands such as Django and Juliette, I Love Billy and of course Katie'N'Me from a local designer. She has also sourced international labels Brazillio and Galani.
With much excitement, Deslie has also just announced that Style On Regent has secured the amazing clothing label BOOM SHANKAR – the Noosa based fashion house. Deslie has put together a fantastic Winter order and will be stocking all the favourite styles - reversible wrap skirts, Guru pants, Cleo skirts, wrap dresses and some awesome new pieces. You will need plenty of time to wander around this beautiful boutique.
The Wandering Peacock – A gogeous array of products sourced from all corners of the globe! The recently opened The Wandering Peacock is full of beautiful homewares, jewellery, books, silk kaftans, organic cotton clothes from Byron Bay and lots of beautiful gifts.
Owner Karina Lusis is well known in New Lambton and in particular Regent Street where she was the previous owner of Wanderlust for Women which she sold four years ago to move to Melbourne. Unfortunately Wanderlust has since closed its doors, hence the reason Karina wanted to open The Wandering Peacock in Regent Street - a similar version of Wanderlust.
Karina has a real passion for retail, having worked with her father for 15 years in the family business at Wharf Furniture Warehouse, before it closed its doors due to the development of the Honeysuckle precinct. The Wandering Peacock also has a beautiful range of candles from USA, and beautiful gemstones crafted into Sterling silver jewellery.
Experience it all at New Lambton Village Courtyard!
