Beautiful, delicious things are popping up on the business end of Bourke Street. Once a pleasant lunchtime retreat for nearby workers, St James Retail Gallery has been transformed into a gallery of four distinctive shops. Hello, easy Christmas shopping.
Each shop is worth the trip individually, but there's no doubt that the jewel here is the Sorry Thanks I Love You pop-up shop: a well-curated selection of gourmet food, wine and jewellery by local designers. They've even got an in-store florist and free gift-wrapping.
You'll also find TOMS colourful slip-ons, sandals and their classic canvas shoes. TOMS are donating serious coin to the Wise Foundation (NGOs in 72 different countries) for every pair sold. Speaking of shoes, there's also Melbourne designer label Rollie: makers of bold lace-ups in myriad colours and prints.
Celebrate your new purchases with a melt-in-your-mouth short bread cookie from Il Migliore, and give yourself a pat on the back for discovering another Melbourne retail gem.