good things
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • My book
  • Writing & Media
  • FAQs
  • Contact

Campbell Friendly Grocer

17/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
One of my favourite stores is the Campbell Friendly Grocer in the elegant suburb of Campbell in Canberra's old inner north. According to Canberra online, the location 'was originally known as Duntroon and was gazetted as Campbell in 1956. Robert Campbell, Sydney's first merchant, is said to have received a grant of land on the Limestone Plains as compensation for the loss of one of his ships on government charter. In 1825 he built a homestead, naming it Duntroon after the Campbell castle in Argyllshire, Scotland. Other buildings erected by Campbell and his family are the Church of St John the Baptist in 1845 and Blundell's farmhouse (now a pioneer museum)'. The Australian War Memorial, ANZAC Parade, Lake Burley Griffin and the National Carillon are just nearby.

Given its close proximity to the City, Peter and I frequented the Campbell shopping centre after work and were regulars when we lived in the suburb. 


We enjoyed the neighbourhood atmosphere and the good range of shops, which includes an excellent liquor store and supermarket, as well as The Lanterne Rooms restaurant and Leong Kitchen Chinese restaurant. All offer genuinely friendly service and quality products.

Campbell Friendly Grocer is owned by Albury born Matthew Farrah, who originally opened the bottle shop two doors down in 1992. Three years later, his brother, Chris, came on board and the two joined a trust which bought the entire shopping centre. This explains the well maintained look and 'village' feel of the complex. Matt now owns the supermarket or 'Friendly Grocer' and Chris owns Campbell Liquor Discounts. Interestingly, Matt also owns four vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand, and a wine production business that makes brands such as Pear Tree, Little Black Stone, Beachwood, Waihopai and Mr Smith, an Australian wine which won a Gold medal at the London International Wine Challenge. Matt distributes his wines through his own wine distribution business, Rogue Wines. More on this interesting facet in a later piece.

Back to the Campbell Friendly Grocer, Matt and his store managers are customer savvy and keen to cater to the needs of their clientele. 'We are mainly a convenience store, but our shoppers really enjoy gourmet products, which is why we stock a good range of quality lines', Matt explained. 

Indeed. On these shelves, you will find Poacher's Pantry smoked meats, Toby's Estate coffee, Charmaine Solomon curry pastes, desserts from Homemade Fine Foods, and Careme handmade pastries. There is also a focus on local products, such as Contadino Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Falls Creek, Dom's Woodfired Bread from Queanbeyan, and meat from Country Pride Sausages, among other good things. The latest products to grace the shelves are Pepe Saya butter and Red Belly Citrus Blood Orange Cordial. Matt has a vision to expand the gourmet lines even further in the next couple of years.

To cater to local office workers, Matt's Farrahdisio cafe, operates from the grocery between 8.00am and 3.00pm on weekdays. Here you will find gourmet sandwiches and quiche, as well as Mick's Bakehouse pies, roasted chickens and fresh sushi. Campbell Friendly Grocer is open seven days from 8.00am to 8.00pm, telephone 02 6247 3535. Make it a regular stop in for your grocery shopping, the concept and the store is delicious. You are going to love it!

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Food People

    Farmers and growers, artisan producers, and wonderful providores.

    Archives

    July 2014
    June 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011

    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Adelaide Central Market
    Almonds
    Andys Gozleme
    Apples
    Apricots
    Artisan Butter
    Artisan Cheese
    Aussie Apples
    Australian Dairy Products
    Awards
    Award Winning Butter
    Award Winning Chevre
    Award Winning Milk
    Award Winning Yoghurt
    Bagels
    Baked Goods
    Bakers
    Batemans Bay
    Beans
    Beekeeping
    Bees
    Beeswax
    Berri
    Berries
    Best Butter
    Beverages
    Biodynamic
    Black Horse Fine Foods
    Blueberries
    Bread
    Bread & Butter Pudding
    Butcher
    Butter
    Buttermilk
    Campbell Friendly Grocer
    Canberra
    Canberra Markets
    Capital Region Farmer
    Capsicums
    Caramelised Nuts
    Cattle
    Central Market
    Chai
    Cheese
    Chefs
    Cherries
    Cherry Orchard
    Cherry Picking
    Chevre
    Chickens
    Chillies
    Chocolate
    Chocolates
    Chooks
    Christmas
    Christmas Gifts
    Clyde River Berry Farm
    Coffee
    Country Valley
    Country Valley Dairy
    Cows
    Cream
    Crêperie
    Crêpes
    Crumble
    Cucumbers
    Cultured Butter
    Curd
    Dairy
    Dairy Farmers
    Dairy Goodness
    Dairy Products
    Dark Chocolate Mousse
    Darwin
    Dora And John Andonaros
    Edible Gifts
    Eggplant
    Eggs
    Epic
    Fairtrade
    Fair Trade
    Farm
    Farmer
    Farmers
    Farmers Markets
    Farm Shop
    Fetta
    Figs
    Fine Terrines And Pâtes
    Flavours
    Food
    France
    Free Range
    Frugii
    Garlic
    Gelato
    Geranda Produce
    Gingerbread
    Gingerbread House
    Goats Cheese
    Goats Milk Cheese
    Gorman House Markets
    Goulburn Garlic
    Gourmet
    Gourmet Tomatoes Farmers
    Gozleme
    Greengrocer Of The Year Award
    Green Heart Garlic
    Growers
    Gum Tree Pies
    Handmade
    Herbs
    Hobby Farmers
    Holbrook Paddock Eggs
    Homemade Fine Foods
    Honey
    Ice Cream
    Ingelara Organic Produce
    Inglebrae Homestead Meats
    Jackie M
    Jam
    Lamb
    Lavender
    Leeks
    Leichhardt Markets
    Lettuces
    Limoncello
    Lush Yoghurt
    Macadamia Nuts
    Malaysian Food
    Manna From Heaven
    Market Food
    Market People
    Market People Farmer
    Markets
    Master The Mousse
    Meat
    Melissa Pure Fresh Honey
    Merna Taouk
    Milk
    Milk Products
    Mushrooms
    Obdm
    Onions
    Orange Grove Markets
    Orange Region
    Organic
    Organic Garlic
    Organic Produce
    Organics
    Paddington Markets
    Pancakes
    Parap Fine Foods
    Peaches
    Peanuts
    Pepesaya
    Pepe Saya
    Pierre Issa
    Plums
    Pontiac
    Pork
    Posies
    Potatoes
    Potato Growers
    Producer
    Producers
    Provenance
    Rachel Grisewood
    Raspberry Panna Cotta
    Real Chai
    Rhubarb
    Rice Pudding
    Roti Kaya
    Sebago
    Sorbet
    Sourdough
    Spices
    Spuds
    Sticky Date Pudding And Crumble Topping
    Stripey Sundae
    Sugar Plums
    Sweet
    Sweet Things
    Sweet Tooth Constructions
    Sydney
    Tea
    Temora
    That Bagel Place
    The Grog Shed
    The Middle Eastern Kitchen
    The Mushroom Man
    Torcaso Produce
    Turkish Bread
    Turkish Food
    Turkish Gozleme
    Vegetables
    Walnut Liqueur
    Warp And Weft
    Willow Brae Cheese
    Windellama Organics
    Wines
    Wombat
    Yackandandah
    Yoghurt
    Yummy Drinks

Good Things is written and published by Liz Posmyk © 2011-2017.   All rights reserved. Excerpts may be used provided full and clear credit is given.


  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • My book
  • Writing & Media
  • FAQs
  • Contact
✕