Yass - Merchant Campbell

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for all things 19th Century.  I've done a lot of work for the National Gallery's Trove project and it's one of my chief pleasures to read the advertisements for merchants and proprietors in mid-to-late 19th Century newspapers.  For that reason, I couldn't possible drive past this:

Merchant Campbell - Purveyor of Worldly Goods.

Yes. Please.  Immediately.

Stepping inside is a dream.  You can immediately see how much effort has gone into product selection and placement.  The eye for detail, the mind for balance is something someone like me can only dream about.  We're approached almost as soon as we're in the store by a woman as well-put together and thoughtfully curated as the store.  She asks us if we've been there before, if we'd like help or just to look around and then lets us know the provenance of everything in the store is something they can tell us about - no products of sweat shop labour here.

I don't know whether it's her politeness, her killer smile or the way she manages us in general but I like her immediately. We spend a not inconsiderable amount of time looking through everything on offer because this is the kind of store that makes you believe that your life could be everything a Home Beautiful life could be if only you would trust the purveyors of worldly goods with your interior design.

The holy grail of this particular jaunt is the discovery of a cabinet full of Japanese indigo blue crockery - something I've been on the hunt for for literal years.  I've always been thwarted by the price point and the need for postage on top.  But Merchant Campbell finally delivers on my dream of perfectly mismatched matching dinner plates in my favourite colours.

Our host (who turns out to be named Margot) takes us through to the most well-ordered store room either of us have ever seen so we can pick our own combination of plates. 

They are frivolous and perfect and even after the sale has gone through and I'm back at home unwrapping them I still feel very, very good about my purchase.

Ratings

Price point: $$$

Value for money: This isn't Kmart, it's a boutique.  Everything here is beautiful and feels luxe but the price point is actually very reasonable.  You would pay easily double for everything in the Southern Highlands.

Kid factor:  One star.  Don't do it to yourself or to Margot.  This store deserves healthy adult appreciation, not sticky, grabby fingers.

The positives:  Everything.  It's a beautiful store to browse and ideal for autistic shoppers - no jarring lights, sounds or smells.  Products have been thoughtfully placed so the whole space feels balanced and uncluttered, but still gives you the feeling or uncovering treasure as you go.

The negatives: It's a trap.  You will want to buy everything and as accommodating and lovely as she is, Margot will not stop you.

Machete rating:  Friendly staff.  Interesting but slightly overpriced.