the whole village was crowded with sailors and pub owners. Now part
of the Cains building has been restored and transformed into an indie
market called Red Brick Vintage. Various shops in the factory are like
kaleidoscopes, passing colourful cultural messages on to the visitors.
If you fancy walking in, you might even be approached by enthusiastic
craftsman, retro vinyl collector or rock singer. Another surprising thing
about the factory is that it becomes a big pub at night! Hippie folk music
bands usually gather in the factory to bring a concert night for students
from nearby area. With only a few blocks away from the Waterfront,
Cains brewery village is a fantastic place for history lovers and students
who want to get unusual experience with music and craft beer.
Ever heard of 69A? 99% students must’ve been to this vintage shop, but
few have found the secret treasures inside. Hiding in 75 Renshaw Street,
the shop has a strongly reminiscent style of Virginia Woolf’s novel. You
possibly need some efforts to notice the huge collection of Asian ceramics
on the glass shelves. The shop is almost like a private museum, where
you will be amazed by Persian vase, Japanese eggshell plate made
during WWI or even Chinese royal porcelain from hundreds of years
ago. The shop owner Mr. Trevor Doswell explained why he particularly
loves to collect Asian ceramics as his hobby. “I’m a fan of Mr. Giuseppe
Eskenazi. I started to be influenced by Asian culture and collecting these
ceramics since 70s. Most people may care about their economic values,
but I collect them just because I love history and its connection with the
items. They are priceless.” If you’re curious about any particular items in
the shop, don’t be shy and just ask what you want to know! Mr. Doswell
and his cat Murdoch will even guide you into their ‘secret chamber’ and
tell you more stories behind the collections.
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