Aspley, QLD

Over the past decade, little has changed for shopkeepers in this quite, north Brisbane suburb. Ross Chamberlain from Rosco's Menswear is still ringing the till after 38 years in the business and Catherine of Aspley's lit its 18th birthday candle earlier this year.
And as Catherine recalls, the only real shift for her has been location. Five years ago, the enterprising shopkeeper made her "big move", packing her bags and leaving the local shopping centre to set up shop on Gaysford Street instead.
"Since I've moved, I've doubled my business," she enthuses. "I get a wider range of customers now too."
"The complex down the road with the Coffee Club on the end has really opened up some trading for me because people will come down after a coffee. They really have an eye for nice things too."
Filling her store with a range of 15 local and New Zealand labels including Stitches, Verge, VSSP and Yarra Trail, Catherine has grown to cater for the 30+ demographic with some formal attire for young women.
"For school formals and dances," she explains.
On the other side of Aspley, Chamberlain keeps the lads happy with a wide range of classic menswear including shirts, casual pants, slacks, suits, coats and jeans.
"I'm one of the only independent menswear stores in Brisbane," he swears. "It's family run and it's not one of those major chain stores. I stock lots of things from right across the board."
With labels such as Dumaurier, Maurio and Chipollini, Chamberlain says he's found himself a strong niche in the mature market.
"It's very much a local business with an established clientele so I get the same people coming back again and again."


Breakout Box
Population of Aspley and nearby Geebung: 39 428
Location: 13km from Brisbane CBD
Stores: Rosco's Menswear, Catherine of Aspley
Brands: Yarra Trail, VSSP, Verge, Maurio, Chipollini