Queen Street – the heart of Kensington
The most important thing about Queen Street is that it has a sense of community.
Queen Street is a perfect place for a quiet Saturday stroll or shopping for unique items.
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The street is lined with antique stores, unique restaurants, a flower shop, cake shop and other interesting shops to find beautiful buys.
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The street is laid back and says take it easy. But the most important thing about the street is it has a sense of community.
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Queen Street has not always been this lively as it was once a residential area.
When you walk down the street you appreciate its uniqueness.
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The EXPRESS had an opportunity of taking a stroll with Kensington Ratepayers and Residents Association (KRRA) chairperson Brendon Burmester to have a look at what makes Queen Street special.
As we walk up Queen Street you can tell the love Brendon has for the area.
He is greeted by everyone.
“You have to love Queen Street. You can never come to a shop and just leave without having a hearty conversation with someone.
“The businesses are part of the community – it’s someone’s neighbour, or they have had their business in the area for years,” said Brendon.
As we walk you get to notice that there are no franchised restaurant or shops.
The shops have that special touch where you know the owner will always give you great service and know what you like.
People appreciate that kind of shopping.
I take a photo of Brendon with his lovely Pit bull terrier Penny outside a shop that specialises in repairing stained and leaded glass.
The shop is one of those rare spots because of the service it offers.
We get the chance to chat to owner Elzabe Heine and she shares her love for her work.
“People don’t know that you can repair stained glass. You find them throwing away old doors because it has broken stained glass.
“If people knew where to take their doors, maybe they will not throw them away,” said Elzabe.
Outside her store there is a display of amazing stained glass doors and some pretty stained glass art pieces.
As we walk further up Queen Street we visit a small florist shop.
We are welcomed with a smile by Janine and Jackie West-Evans and get a moment for more photos and a chat.
The shop offers the perfect spot to buy fresh flowers after having a nice cup of coffee.
The shop has a sense of peace and tranquillity with all the flowers that surround it.
Queen Street has businesses that have been in the area for 20 years and more. These businesses will never consider moving because of the type of relationships they have built with the Kensington community.
The street continues to attract new business like the Cut and Craft Bistro, which offers food with a chef’s touch, but at an affordable price.
Queen Street has proven to have a magical touch that has sustained the street to be the gem that it is.
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