Tarragindi Fruit Barn Archives

Good Things Grocer is Tarragindi’s newest neighbourhood grocer, located in a space once occupied by Tarragindi Fruit Barn on Toohey Road.

Read: Uncovering History: Toohey Forest’s Hidden Past

Co-founded by long-time entrepreneurs Sarah Jones and Kymberlee Stone, Good Things Grocer opened its doors March this year after the duo lost their beloved cafe in the 2022 Lismore floods.

Determined to start anew, Sarah and Kym returned to Brisbane moved by a vision to create a grocery store that nurtures connection through quality fare.

Sarah Jones and Kymberlee Stone (Photo credit: goodthingsgrocer.com.au)

“We want Good Things Grocer to be a grocery shopping trip you actually want to go on: everyday treats, all the foodie essentials, fresh produce and gourmet deli goodness that you just can’t help dropping into your basket,” Sarah and Kym shared through their website.

Photo credit: Cameron O’Shea/Google Maps

With their impressive culinary pedigree, the co-owners are certainly delivering on that promise. Kym comes from a long line of farmer’s market sellers, with her mum and grandma having sold family produce at the famed Jan Powers Farmers Markets for over 20 years.

Sarah brings nearly 30 years of hospitality experience to the table, honing her craft everywhere from beloved Brisbane cafes to the dynamic food scene of her native Melbourne.

Together, the duo have run cafes for 15 years, starting with Apples in Salisbury before relocating to Northern Rivers. There, they opened the community fixture Flock Cafe, a Mullumbimby and Lismore staple. Although the Lismore floods ended that chapter, the seeds of Good Things Grocer were planted.

Much like Flock Cafe, Good Things Grocer is already becoming the heartbeat of its neighbourhood. The shop brims with flowers, fresh produce, gourmet goods, and beloved brands like Allpress Espresso and Azteca Margarita Mix. Locals pop in for Jocelyn’s Provisions mouthwatering sourdough or Jacopo Corbetta’s lasagna trays.

Beyond retail, Good Things Grocer nurtures community in other ways too. The vibrant coffee bar serves as a gathering place, whilst plans are underway to offer online ordering and delivery of flowers, grazing boxes, and fresh bundles.

As Sarah and Kym welcome neighbours with Australian hospitality’s signature warmth, one thing is clear: when it comes to good food and good company, Tarragindi’s favourite grocery destination is here to stay.

They are open Monday to Friday 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and on weekends 7:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Read: Get To Know Renae McBrien, Founder of Tarragindi Community Garden

Published 7-December-2023

Inflation in Australia is the highest it has been since the early 1990s, hurting the pockets of Australian consumers like this shopper who found whole cabbage sold for $18 at a Tarragindi fruit and vegetable market.

A family-owned fruit and vegetable market along Toohey Rd is a local go-to place for better-quality food choices. However, a shopper was shocked at how expensive whole cabbages have gotten at the market this summer of 2022.

Green crops have been one of the hardest-hit commodities as Australia’s cost of living rises due to inflation. The recent unseasonal rains and the unusually wet weather may have also contributed to the price hike.

In June, regular whole cabbage prices spiked to about $9 whilst the organic variant costs about $10 to $12 at big-chain stores. Regular half-cabbages were selling at $3.50 but organic half-cabbages went for $5.20.

The price hike follows a lettuce shortage that had many restaurants switching and supplementing lettuce/cabbage mixed ingredients. However, lettuce has gone back down to its regular price in recent weeks.

“Happy to pay whatever as long as the farmers are getting most of the profits. However, if it’s profiteering from the suppliers and or grocers then the government needs to step in and stop this.”

“I’ve lived in Brisbane all my life and I’ve seen rain like we have had in recent time years ago but it never spiked veggie price like this. Someone is making a killing.”

“I saw these for $15.99 at our fruit and veg shop at Helensvale and thought it must have been an error. Apparently not.”

“So what happens to all the wasted fruit and veg now that we can’t afford to buy it? These prices are ridiculous.”

Meanwhile, Tarragindi locals have other options for green food supplies that they can plant, cultivate and harvest for free via the Tarragindi Community Garden and the Wellers Hill Bowls Club community garden.

Tag: Tarragindi Fruit Barn

Tarragindi’s Good Things Grocer Revives Former Fruit Barn

Shopper in Disbelief Over $18 Cabbage Sold in Tarragindi