Central laneway’s green secret

TUCKED away down a bluestone lane just off Sturt Street, you can step into Ballarat’s newest indoor plant store, filled to the brim with greenery, art and homewares.

After opening the doors just over a month ago, Green Loft’s owner Melissa Winton said the nearby community and her existing clients have been a huge support.

“Before we opened here, were doing it from home since March and then COVID came and it started getting a little bit too big for the dining room,” she said.

“Then we spotted this shed and thought why don’t we just get in there and do it.

“The clientele is wonderful, even before we had this spot, you don’t know whether it’s going to work unless you try with these things.”

While she has no formal background in horticulture, Ms Winton said her love of plants was the key driver for wanting to set up the shop in the first place.

“I’m not a plant expert, I’m a plant lover, this is something I have wanted to do for a long while,” she said.

“I’ve grown up with a gardening family, always loved plants and had a beautiful garden and when we built the new house and had lots of space and filled it with green.

“It brought so much joy to our lives and I thought it was time to share it.”

While the wide variety of plants available is the core of Green Loft’s business, the store also offers a range of other homewares, art, lanterns, Etsy cards and ceramic and woven goods.

With all the products sourced from a range of places, Ms Winton said she tried to create an environment that was a bit different to what people had seen before.

“When people come in they can expect a fabulous experience, gorgeous plants and great atmosphere,” she said.

“Although I’m not an expert, I give them the rundown of what they need to do, whether they need to store it in sunlight or water it more once they buy a plant.

“There’s a plant for everyone and I figure, if I can grow it, they can grow it.”

Although the plant store is first and foremost a business, Ms Winton said it’s been a great way to boost the community’s morale.

“If I can make people happy with them adopting a new plant and creating a continued happiness that’s my job done,” she said.

“We live in a very different time and things are so sad at the moment and a little retail therapy may be some people’s only out.

“If they come away feeling uplifted and can get a little bit of happiness it’s a win, win for us all.”

Green Loft is located in the warehouse behind The Cheesecake Shop every Thursday and Saturday from 12.00pm to 5.00pm.