Let me tell you about these shops
I have recently visited 4 different shops in Redfern which have all been in operation for a minimum of 21 years. I struggle to think of many shops being owned and run by the same person for that length of time.
First up is Black Lace in Redfern Street. Poppy Doumanis has been here for 40 years and was one of the first in Redfern to take down the shutters - and good on her. I love the shop, personal service, and Poppy is always ready for a chat and is really helpful with her advice as to whether "do I look fat in this?" Poppy indents the clothes so there is a constantly moving array of gear at very reasonable prices. The photo of me in my profile is a George dress I bought last year for $90 - can't argue with that.

Next up is Redfern Fruit Market with Kitty at the helm.
Now this is a fruit/veg shop with a difference - music playing, crowded with the widest variety of the usual stuff, and loads of all the fabulous Asian herbs and exotica, enough to make any Asian dish. I just discovered the other day - god I must be blind - that in the low shelves under the fruit displays are dozens of dry-food items ranging from arborio rice, Chinese vinegars and sauces, various rices almost anything you need.
As well, snack foods are made daily, vegetable pancakes, vegetable spring rolls, mango pancake. Fresh fruit juices made to order. AND flowers - my goodness, how much Kitty has put into this small space. Always smiling, with spiky short hair, kohled eyes, black top she is not your average greengrocer. Drop in and see what I mean. 193 Regent Street, Redfern.
Don't know what happened, but have lost the photo of Kitty - bugger! I am going to take another photo and post it on another time as she is worth looking at.

Next up is my local hardware store owned by Joseph who has been here 42 years. How easy it is to just walk down the street to buy the odd hardware piece without having to get in the car and drive to Bunnings. I do have Josephs photo. Ambours Hardware 93a Redfern Street, Redfern.

Last on the list is Rogers Shoe Repairs - now Roger has been here since 1959 and is currently involved in the shoe repairs for The Great Gatsby. He works for the Belvoir Theatre and Opera Australia - so that must say something. He has worked on the stage shows Zhivago, Burn the Floor, Oliver, Tap Dogs as well as the film Wolverine. So with six degrees of separation I am connected to some very famous people. His son Nathan now works with his dad and he has a nice smile. No photos of either of them as they are shy but this is of me waiting for my shoe to be fixed. And someone wrote a poem about Roger as they must think he is pretty good.