This week, CityNews talks to some of Fyshwick’s proud business owners who love to share their skills and services with the region.
Named after Sir Philip Fysh, a Tasmanian politician who helped create the Australian Federation, Fyshwick has been a suburb of Canberra since the 1920s.
Almost a century later, the suburb is still known for being one of the most diverse shopping centers in the ACT, offering everything from home and car goods to creative services.
This week, CityNews talks to some of Fyshwick’s proud business owners who love to share their skills and services with the region.
An eclectic range of second-hand furniture
Leading supplier of second-hand furniture Ex-Government Furniture has something for everyone, says co-owner James Fullerton.
“We have chairs for as little as $2, all the way up to Herman Miller chairs, the most sought-after executive chairs money can buy,” he says.
“We also have some single seater armchairs with a chrome aluminum base and some new sofas.”
With a quality range spanning a wide variety of time periods and styles, James says people can find items suitable for any home or office.
“We’re collecting some things from the 1950s, all the way up to the latest model of chairs on the market today,” he says.
“Whether it’s a lounge, a desk, or something else, we have a lot of interesting items and objects here to see.”
The business, which has been running for more than three decades, has become a well-known part of Fyshwick and James says the suburb is increasingly becoming “the place to be”.
“There are a lot of great bakeries and coffee shops here,” he says.
“We see lots of people making a day of their visit to Fyshwick as there is always something to eat, drink and see.”
Ex Government Furniture, 6 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6490 or visit exgovfurniture.com
The father-son team stocks the ‘best quality’ workwear.
WITH more than 30 years of providing quality workwear to the Canberra region, locally run Seears Workwear knows what workers are looking for, owner Pat Seears says.
With workwear including hi-vis workwear, jackets, jeans, shoes and hats, Pat says, “Everything is the best quality from the best manufacturers.”
Located on Barrier Street, it says its stock includes safety work boots, leather shoes and canvas shoes with steel toes, from brands including Puma, Rockport and Dunlop.
It also has workwear for chefs, paramedics and firefighters, says Pat, who runs the business with his son Shane, and says they know the needs of local businesses and supply many businesses in Fyshwick with their work uniforms .
They can also help businesses through their corporate uniform services, offering custom embroidery services for promotional apparel and business uniforms.
Seears Workwear also has stores in NSW and Queensland, and Pat says they supply nationwide.
Sears Workwear, 60 Carrer Barrera. Call 6280 4111 or visit seearsworkwear.com.au
Shared passions for quality gin
ESTABLISHED in 2017, Big River Distilling Co creates craft spirits of uncompromising quality, says Chief Beverage Engineer Clyde Morton.
“Last year Sydney’s Lotus Dining Group approached Big River with the idea of creating a new gin that would amplify the flavors of Chinese cuisine,” he says.
“Identifying a shared passion, both teams tested what would eventually become the finished product: Big River x Lotus Mandarin Gin.
“The dominant flavor of Mandarin Gin is the fresh Australian mandarin peel, which pairs perfectly with the five spices of Chinese cuisine: Szechuan pepper, star anise, fennel, cinnamon and cloves, which overlay the juniper and coriander base gin” .
Clyde says the process was deeply collaborative: “Lotus Dining Group came to us to create a unique Chinese-inspired gin to serve at their seven Sydney venues. We were all very happy with the result. The aromas can be quite evocative: when I tasted the first batch, I imagined myself standing in a Chinese kitchen.
“We currently have a particular favorite shot: our Mandarin Sonic, which features Mandarin Gin plus a 50:50 shot of blood orange soda water and a salt-infused tonic water.
“Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, it’s the perfect place to sample a range of spirits, take a tour and catch up with friends over a G&T in our lovely bar.”
Big River Distilling Co, Tenancy 3, Building 3, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick. Call 0490 038457 or visit bigriverdistilling.com.au
It offers a wide range of quality floors
ENDEAVOR Carpets offers the widest range of high-quality floor coverings in Canberra and Queanbeyan, with options that help keep the home warm in winter and cool in summer, says co-owner Taylor O’Brien.
Founded in 1970 and still a family business, Taylor says the company has maintained its original goal of showcasing exceptional choices in carpet, wood, laminate and hybrid flooring, vinyl, vinyl planks and carpeting.
Taylor describes its showroom in Fyshwick as Canberra’s “big floor show” with thousands of samples on display and an experienced team of floor specialists to facilitate the customer experience to the fullest.
“Our showroom is so great that other retailers send their customers to see our wide range of high quality floor coverings,” he says.
“As a family-owned business, Endeavor Carpets appreciates that customers have plenty of choice in a competitive market and therefore aim to provide the best service and products available at the best possible price,” he says.
When customers visit Endeavor Carpets, Taylor says they experience good old-fashioned service from a long-standing local family business.
“That’s what really sets Endeavor Carpets apart from any regular carpet store,” he says.
“At Endeavor Carpets, we don’t just strive, we do.”
Endeavor Carpets, 33 Isa Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6132 or visit endeavourcarpets.com.au
Hardwood furniture for any home
Since 2003, Timberland Furniture has been providing the Canberra community with a beautiful range of Australian hardwood furniture, says owner Tony Purdy.
“We have just about anything a home needs: bedding, dinettes, TV stands, coffee tables, sideboards and more.” he says.
“If anyone in Canberra wants furniture, Fyshwick is the place to be, but what makes Timberland stand out is that we are locally owned and operated.”
He says size is often an issue for customers, so whether it’s a TV stand, bookcase or buffet table, Timberland Furniture can customize furniture to fit the space.
“We customize the size of a particular piece to meet the customer’s requirements and they choose the wood,” he says.
Included is a range of Tasmanian blackwoods, one of Australia’s most beautiful and sought after woods.
“Tasmanian Blackwood is a prestigious hardwood with a warm, natural color,” he says.
“It can decorate different rooms of the house, and it can be complemented with any piece of furniture. You can’t beat that as far as I’m concerned.”
Tony says his great appreciation for Australian hardwood stems from his short career with the NSW forestry commission.
Timberland Furniture, 100 Barrier Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 7411 or visit timberlandfurniture.com
Damian has auto repairs covered
“WHEN it comes to specialist auto repair and maintenance services, nobody does it better than Latin Motors,” says owner Damian Jones.
“We are a European car service and repair center. We specialize in Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda and Saab, but service all other European makes and models.”
Having moved from Townsville Street to a repair center on Gladstone Street last year, Damian says no matter how small or major your car repair needs, he’s got it covered.
With factory training at Audi and SAAB and 18 years experience in all European vehicles, he says he prides himself on providing reliable, honest and efficient customer service and information.
“I notify you of any additional work required before carrying it out. You will be in direct contact with the mechanic working on your vehicle,” he says.
“I use manufacturer approved, German made Ravenol lubricants. When you come to me, you can be sure that I can provide auto services in accordance with your car manufacturer’s requirements that do not affect new car warranties.
Latin Motors, Unit 6, 106 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 5586 or visit latinmotors.com.au
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