Happy Valley

Owner Chris Crouch wasn’t sure where he’d find Happy Valley at first. Having sold his original shop Polyester Records, he missed having a creative retail space, and dreamed of opening something new.

After searching the streets of Melbourne for the perfect shop front, an opportunity presented itself inside a former traveller’s bookshop in Collingwood; an airy, high-ceilinged room that lent itself to showcasing his eclectic wares. So it was here that Happy Valley finally found itself on the map.

“I just want to sell things that nobody else has,” says Crouch of his carefully-curated stock. “I always wanted to own a bookshop or an art gallery. I decided to do both at once.”

Littered with lovely things, the shop specialises in homewares (perhaps a feature terrarium or Uasamama paper bag), artful oddities and a selection of books, magazines and journals you’re unlikely to find at the local Dymocks.

Everything is hand-picked by Crouch, who started cultivating bits and pieces from around the world two years ago; collecting cool stuff everywhere from Portland to Castlemaine. “I’m just selling things that I like myself,” he admits.

Architect Harley Vincent has done a stellar job in designing the space, incorporating custom built Danish-shelving systems and bursts of bright, mood-boosting yellow to keep the uplifting theme flowing through the store.

HAPPY VALLEY
294 Smith St, Collingwood
9077 8509
Mon-Thurs 10:30am-6pm
Fri 10:30am-7pm
Sat 10:30am-6pm, Sun 10:30am-5pm
happyvalleyshop.com