For the past 15 years, Elizabeth and James Lloyd have been itching to see the corner space at 1 Brunswick Street transform into something special. As owners of the gorgeous street-facing tenancy, they’ve leased it to hairdressers, graphic-design studios and even a florist over the years, but the two have long wished it could house something reminiscent of its original general store identity. Eventually Elizabeth and James decided to take matters into their own hands, taking over the space in order to morph it into Lloyd’s General Store – a providore, cafe and bar that officially opened to the public last week. Looking to offer an alternative to the bustle of Fortitude Valley’s nightlife precinct and King Street’s hospitality strip, Elizabeth and James have purposefully configured the cosy confines of Lloyd’s General Store to evoke the feeling of getting home – the relaxing decompression that typically follows a long day. In order to actualise their dream home-style revitalisation, the duo stripped back the venue’s walls to reveal the original brick beneath, exposed the wooden ceiling beams, applied some eye-catching hand-painted signage, sourced a collection of vintage furnishings and crafted a sturdy bar from recycled materials. What results is a raw and lived-in aesthetic which, when coupled with the ambience afforded by the glass windows, gives guests a sense of escape – as if they’ve been transported to a quaint hole-in-the-wall bar in Melbourne or London where they can watch the world pass by.
During the day Lloyd’s General Store slings freshly brewed coffee from Allpress Espresso, freshly baked croissants lathered with goats cheese and a dollop of strawberry jam, sourdough toast, nourishing salads, and toasties. At night the menu pivots towards sophisticated snacks like mixed olives, pate and terrines from The City Larder served with toasted baguette, and platters piled with gourmet cheeses and charcuterie sourced from specialty food distributors Fino Foods and Black Pearl Epicure. Guests can either construct their own platter from the available morsels in the cabinet, or let the Lloyd’s crew whip one up for you. Staying true to its name and ethos, Lloyd’s doubles as a larder, stocking an assortment of artisanal pantry stuffers including coffee beans, sauces, lentils, black barley, crackers, balsamic vinegar and sardines. What’s more, Lloyd’s full assortment of cheeses and meats can also be portioned and purchased to take away, meaning just about everything you savour on site can be obtained for at-home consumption. Elizabeth and James are currently cultivating a farm on Elizabeth’s parent’s property in Ipswich, where the duo are growing ingredients for the bar’s salads and a rotating meal of the day (only a limited number of servings are available), creating a genuine farm-to-plate experience. The couple have taken a similarly considered approach to its drinks list, electing to spotlight boutique, organic and biodynamic wines from France, Italy, Australia and New Zealand, as well as craft beers from Brisbane and the coast. Four wines are available by the glass, including a fruity pinot noir supplied by Neudorf Vineyards from Nelson, New Zealand, a juicy rose by Maison Angelvin and a sharp pinot grigio from Italian label Babo Wines, while brews are contributed by the likes of Yeronga’s Slipstream Brewing Co., Maleny’s Brouhaha Brewery and beachy outfits Balter Brewing Co. and Black Hops Brewery. Gin from Tasmanian distiller Dasher + Fisher and Scottish single-malt whisky from Wolfburn are perfect for those seeking a stiffer sip, while sodas from Crows Nest Soft Drinks are suited to those keeping things neat.
Lloyd’s General Store is now open to the public. For operating hours and other important details, head to the Stumble Guide.
