Tilba Central Makers Emporium is the latest addition to Central Tilba’s eclectic range of stores. Photos: Supplied.
The historic village of Central Tilba, known for interesting and quirky shops, will soon have a new offering. The Makers Emporium is a workshop where artisans will also sell their crafted goods. At other times, it will be a vibrant community space for art exhibitions, live music and social events.
The Makers Emporium is the brainchild of Phil Shorten. For some time, he has been concerned by the trend of imported goods appearing on the shelves of Tilba’s shops.
“We want Tilba to be known for its locally made products,” Mr Shorten said.
He is predominantly a farmer but has a finger in many pies, including developing a micro-grid for the area and investigating the local supply chain for beef.
Creating a space for local makers sits neatly with his catchcry of ”produced locally, consumed locally”.
“It is a bit of a passion of mine,” Mr Shorten said. “People always come into shops and ask if this was made locally, so it is filling that need.”
The goods will be practical, not “dust collectors”, and appeal to locals and visitors alike.
Mr Shorten has locked in two makers and is keen to hear from other Far South Coast artisans interested in joining the emporium. He is open to any artisan making high-quality useful or niche goods, from milliners and makers of botanical products to people who can craft things from tallow to fully use the cattle on his farm.
Central Tilba Makers Emporium is the brainchild of Phil Shorten (left). Andy Reid (right) is one of the first artisans to move in.
They would complement the artisan crafting products from local timbers and a recent arrival who makes guitars and leather goods.
Adam Kesper fell in love with Tilba 15 years ago. When the Makers Emporium opportunity arose, he took the plunge to move from Jack River in South Gippsland.
His father was a “pretty talented fellow” who did leatherwork and built guitars.
“I grew up watching all that and that is where my interest started,” Mr Kesper said.
Through his Ravenswood business, he makes and sells leather goods, including stockwhips, belts, guitar straps and handbags. He also makes guitars.
Mr Shorten said the guitars were high-end and appealed to collectors.
“Adam also repairs guitars and is already in demand with local artists,” he said.
Five years ago, Andy Reid moved from Nyngan to Tilba and renovated a 100-year-old cottage. His children attend the local school.
He was working at the Dromedary Hotel and putting on events such as the Darcy Cup and music quiz Tilba Rocks. He saw a gap in the market for Tilba products and thought having his own shop would help further support the village.
Mr Reid said it was a bit of a pipe dream and he was already looking at other shopfronts.
Central Tilba Makers Emporium recently hosted a lunch for members of the local RFS and their families, recognising the building’s history.
He said joining other makers in the emporium was much cheaper than having an individual building.
“It makes it less risky and it is near impossible for an individual maker to make enough stock to fill a shop, so doing it with three or four others makes it viable.”
Mr Reid is a songwriter, so the theme of Tilbawoods is making things that tell stories about Tilba. His cheese platters are made from wood sourced from farms in the Tilba area and he is mulling what story he can tell from a 120-year-old fence post a farmer gave him.
“I really love Tilba and would like to showcase all the beauty that Tilba has and its beautiful community,” Mr Reid said.
Behind the main workspace and retail area is a space where the makers will hold workshops to teach people some of their skills, such as making belts.
“We also want to make it available every second month for an art exhibition by local artists and will have opening events to support those artists,” Mr Shorten said.
“Because of Andy’s background in music, we see ourselves running regular events with a festival vibe to celebrate Tilba and its people.”
The other part of the Makers Emporium’s story is the building. Mr Shorten said it was built by the community as a community project for the RFS. It is next to the Dromedary Hotel.
“A For Sale sign had been on the building for years,” Mr Shorten said. “I rang the estate agent and fortuitously learnt that the owner was thinking of selling. I was very fortunate.”
He is repairing and refurbishing it, using local hardwoods and locally milled timber where possible.
“We will be filling it up with beautiful things,” Mr Kesper said. “You couldn’t have a more perfect, picturesque spot.”
