At just 24, jeweller Jodi Penfold is the newest kid on the block operating a pearl showroom. But already, she is an accomplished jeweller and is racking up an impressive list of awards including placing second and third at Broome’s annual Jewellery Awards. Jodi is the in-house jeweller at Clipper Pearls and opened her shop, Jewels of the Kimberley, in August 2005. It hosts both loose and set pearls as well as a range of Mother of Pearl jewellery.
If pearls interest you, Broome is a shopper’s paradise. In Chinatown there are at least a dozen showrooms that feature pearl jewellery and also stock less expensive mother-of-pearl pieces.
On Dampier Terrace you’ll find Linneys and Kailis Pearls, both of which have sister stores in Perth, and Pearl Luggers whose gift store stocks an eclectic range of gifts and features hand selected pearls from the Arrow pearl farm.
In the past, there were very few shops selling clothing, and those that did sold mostly practical and pretty beach wear perfect for Broome’s sultry days. Two new clothing shops have upped the ante and the fashion conscious visitor can now splurge on more than just swimsuits and sarongs.
Husband and wife team Garry and Leanne Thayer have converted an old gift store into a funky new clothes shop called Shekkie stocking a massive range of swimsuits and smart beach wear. Located next door to Sun Pictures, Shekkie specialises in cool cottons and caters for men, women and children. Here you’ll find the perfect summer ensemble, or the prerequisite sarong with matching hat, beach bag, sunglasses and thongs. Brand names here include Seafolly, Moontide, Zimmerman, Bardot, Cupid Girl, Teeny Wahine and Running Bare.
On Carnarvon Street, Betty’s Frocks owner Corry Fong’s colourful collection offers something for everyone. With an emphasis on quality clothing for a mature woman, this very funky range includes brands such as In Your Dreams Day and Night, Verge and Mela Purdie. There is an emphasis on fabric in this store and many of the pieces are of the wash and wear variety that look good day and night and can be dressed up or down.
Around the corner in Short Street is new shop, Shimmer. A unique and broad range of jewellery is available here including knitted jewellery by WA’s Irene Perry and the Marano Italian range of glass jewellery. A huge range of handbags –mostly one offs – compliments this making it hard to walk away empty-handed. Also in store are brand names such as Baby Doll, Fiorelli, Charlie Brown, Fossil and DKNY, and some eclectic pieces of art.
Next door to Shimmer is the photographer Rod Hartvigsen’s Murranji Gallery, which boasts largest collection of images from the northwest. Available in a range of sizes framed or unframed, the photographs make for great mementos of your time in Broome.
Without doubt one of the best bookshops in the north-west is the Kimberley Bookshop in Napier Terrace. It’s massive collection features books on everything to do with the Kimberley, as well as all the latest releases.
Further out of town on Hunter Street is StoneRage, an Indonesian feast for the eyes. What started as a small store selling stones for the garden has turned into one of the best suppliers of Indonesian furniture and artefacts in the sate selling volcanic rock statues, recycled teak furniture, water features and entry statements. The gardens alone are great just for a look.
– Vanessa Hayden
Who to call
Jewels of the Kimberley, Corner Napier and Dampier Terrace, (08) 9192 8207
Linneys, 25 Dampier Terrace, (08) 9192 2430
Kailis Pearls, 3 Dampier Terrace, (08) 9192 2061.
Pearl Luggers, 31 Dampier Terrace, (08) 9192 2059.
Shekkie, 10 Carnarvon Street, (08) 9192 2514.
Betty’s Frocks, 17 Carnarvon Street, (08) 9192 1567.
Shimmer, Shop 5/ 6 Short Street, (08) 9192 7784.
Murranji Gallery Shop, 6/ 6 Short Street, (08) 9192 6996.
The Kimberley Bookshop, 4 Napier Terrace, (08) 9192 1944.
Broome 6 Gallery, 20 Hamersley Street, (08) 9192 6821.
Stone Rage, 22 Hunter Street, (08) 9192 1491.