Stackwood

Plant expert Sarah Bell was on the lookout for a space to create a community hub.

A chance run-in with old friends who had just bought a warehouse on the outskirts of Fremantle led to Stackwood's creation in 2016. Since then, she has transformed this old mechanics workshop into an airy, leaf-filled space that's become more than a plant haven. "We are a creative community hub," she proudly declares.

Artists and green thumbs share the space and their skills. The main focus is the nursery, where lush plants and decorative pots are for sale, with in-store advice for choosing suitable foliage for the right spot and learning the care it requires from seasoned experts. An adjoining concept store stocks local artisan homewares, scented candles and coffee table books amongst more leafy foliage.

"We pride ourselves on having excellent quality plant stock, we hand-pick all our own plants, and we look after everything beautifully," says Sarah. “We do deliveries three days a week and gift packs, and we're moving our product range into outdoor lifestyle as well.”  

Within the warehouse, with its white-washed brick walls and a raw concrete floor, are private studio spaces, bustling with the creativity of resident makers, artists and design businesses that form an essential part of the Stackwood community. From a light-filled central hall, workshops are hosted in pottery, basket weaving and wooden spoon carving to cooking and growing a home garden. In-house café, Stacked, is a regular drop-in for locals in the White Gum Valley area and the resident creatives and customers who pop in from the plant shop.

Having first owned homewares store, Willow and the Bowerbird, on George Street in East Fremantle, after six years, Sarah had bigger ideas. Today, Stackwood has evolved into her vision with its collective of plant shop, café, artist's studio, coworking, and creative workshop space. "The vision that I had for Stackwood is what has evolved, which is pretty cool to reflect on," she says. "We’ve created a beautiful space for the community to gather. There are so many lovely connections that happen within this space which is a really lovely thing. The people are what makes things special and awesome, and unique. That's probably the key to it, all the clever, creative, lovely people that are involved in this space."

Keep an eye out for Stackwood’s bi-annual Made Local Market that’s slated to return in 2022.

Plus a range of new workshops, as part of Stackwood School, with classes to help small businesses develop accountancy, social media, and marketing skills. "We always try to find new and exciting Perth makers and creatives and develop new workshops," Sarah says.

Online plant orders within 25km of the Fremantle warehouse are delivered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Same-day dispatch is available on these days if you order before 11am.

Discover more of the best artisan shopping in Fremantle in our FINE section.

Photo credit: Rae Fallon for Stackwood