You’ll Want To Put All the Eggs in Your Basket at Nonna’s Grocer’s Cheery New Candle and Homewares Shop

Since December, a number of new shops have popped up at Central Station’s new retail and dining hub, Eddy. One shop in particular catches your attention as you’re (attempting) to hurry along Eddy Avenue: Nonna’s Grocer.

Vegetable crates are stacked around the store, and in the window you’ll see a scattering of fruits that look too pretty to eat. That’s because they are. These hyperreal lemon and orange candles are the handiwork of local designer Madeleine Hoy, who started Nonna’s Grocer as an online-only situation in 2020. It was an immediate success, leading Madeleine’s sister Isabel to jump on board to co-run the business. The new store, on Eddy Avenue at Sydney’s busiest train station, is the brand’s first bricks-and-mortar space.

The walls are baby blue, handpainted with a check pattern and curvaceous shapes, and there’s a heritage-listed spiral staircase that adds even more charm. Madeleine and Isabel have also added stainless steel shelving, kitchen appliances and an eclectic range of furniture to reinforce the inspiration behind their designs.

“We want the products to speak for themselves, but also want to draw references to Italian supermarkets,” says Madeleine.

Pick up a wobbly-looking tomato, half-a-dozen eggs or a slab of butter before making your way to the “checkout”. Nonna’s Grocer also stocks a range of home and kitchen wares from other makers: stylish wine bags by Tanchen, glassware from Maison Balzac, and handmade plates and cups from Sydney-based ceramicists including Sofia Musarra.

New products will be hitting the stainless steel shelves soon. After a recent, very popular collaboration with Sydney’s favourite Margarita bar, Cantina OK, the Hoys are working on a new scented range, as well as a new collab with Maison Balzac. The collection is due to launch at the end of March, and will be sold exclusively at each of the brand’s stores.

“It’s going to be very luxe and sit in a really pretty box,” says Madeleine. “[Think] something that is more French.”

nonnasgrocer.com
@nonnasgrocer

Nonna’s Grocer
3 Eddy Ave, Haymarket)

Hours
Tue, Wed and Fri 10am–6pm
Thu 10am–7pm
Sat 10am–4pm