Your guide to the city

Japan is having a moment – and everyone’s getting on board. Visitor numbers soared in 2024, with Aussie travelers flocking to experience the country’s world-famous cuisine. Fortunately for the people of Launceston (settled and visiting), the next best thing can be found right on our doorstep, within a neon-lit nook of the Quadrant Mall. Read on to find out more about our hidden gem of Japanese cuisine - Pachinko.

Beneath the iconic art deco façade of Launceston’s iconic Holyman House building, a bustling newsagency thrives amid changing times.

Brisbane Street News and Lotto, with dedicated owners Garry and Donna Matthews at the helm, provides a rich shopping experience for regulars and passers-by. This beloved small business is best known for three things: its busy lotto counter, extraordinary selection of magazines, and welcoming staff.

“We’re all very friendly, personal sort of people,” says Garry of his team, comprising himself, Donna, and two staff members, Jacob and Angela.

Read on to learn more about the team behind Brisbane St News & Lotto.

For more than 40 years, Launceston Sport and Surf has been supplying locals with everything they need to embrace the great outdoors in style. The St John Street shop is one of Australia’s largest locally owned surf stores, stocking a ripper range of adventure clothing and gear from the best brands in the biz. Learn more about this beloved Launnie business in this edition of In Good Company.

From staying connected with loved ones to managing our work on the go, digital devices have become an integral part of our daily lives. For the most part, they serve us well … until they don’t.

Whether it’s a shattered screen, a bung charging port or a dreaded flat battery, a non-functioning mobile phone can swiftly send us into crisis mode.

Fortunately, we’ve got a mobile superhero located right here in Launceston.

Read on to learn more about Mobile Mania and the friendly faces behind the counter.

Midway along one of Launceston’s most charming streetscapes, a homey haven stocks a delightful range of products to brighten your abode. The expansive windows of Hope & Me beckon, showcasing a thoughtful assortment of home and lifestyle wares by top brands from around Australia and New Zealand. It’s hard to resist a look inside.

This Quadrant Mall mainstay has been lovingly owned and run by Lindi McMahon and daughter Chelsea since 2010. Before Hope & Me came to be, Lindi worked in dynamic retail roles that kindled a lifelong passion for the trade.

To find out more about this beloved Launnie business, read on.

In this interview series, we give you a behind the scenes look at the people behind the businesses we love.

Stockton & Co is a local home and gifts shop that stocks a curated range of art and items from around the world and The St John Street store is a labour of love for founder Alice Bradbury, and her daughter Mia, who works in the store.

“Two years ago my mum, came to me and said ‘I’ve got this idea’ and she started telling me about this shop she’s going to open and the whole idea of it was that she wants it to be full of things that’d she’d have in her own home, so this shop is just a version of our house. That’s where it came from.”

Read on to learn more about Stockton & Co.

“It’s been really lovely when we’ve had travellers coming down who say they heard you can get really genuine South American food at this random café in little Launceston. It’s pretty amazing really - the word’s out in that regard.”

Tio Rico may have flown under the radar for many Launceston locals, but those in the know know that what Dylan Guardia says is true: we have our own slice of Venezuela right here.

The Guardia family have operated Tio Rico for 14 years, Jose and Kerri starting with a food van for festivals and events before putting down colourful, South American roots in their café on Paterson Street right next to Royal Park.

Read on to learn more about Tio Rico.

Jo, owner of The Grain Grocer, is a joy to be around. Any time she's at the counter you'll be greeted with a smile that lights up the room and helpful service that can come only from someone who truly knows their products.

She's passed on these winning traits to her daughter, Jess, who you can also find frequently working in store- in fact, you can find Jo's whole family helping out in The Grain Grocer at different times. They're a tight-knit bunch, and Jo wouldn't have it any other way.

It's a rare gift to have a family you can happily work alongside. Of course there are always challenges, but if you can pull it off then you've got a steadfast, trustworthy and loyal team that you know you can always rely on - an invaluable asset for any small business owner.

Read on to hear more about Jo, her family and The Grain Grocer.