Kelsey Barrett

A whimsical comic & art space

Linger, a space to savour the small moments.

Balanced on the corner of Balm and Nuffield Street, this store has been transported from another world, the leafy green exterior contrasts with the commercial side of Newmarket, with soft lighting illuminating the scenes within. Inspired by the caverns in Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind the space embraces the full ceiling height and moody palette. Creating intimate moments inviting customers to take lanterns and weave their way through the bookshelves, climbing ladders and curling up in the window seats.

The teashop faces Nuffield Street with a large window soaking it in sunlight. Little details and textures nod to Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of the Ghibli world. A Japanese letterbox embodies the whimsical Ghibli-sphere, acting as a souvenir ticket system for the customers, as it changes throughout the seasons.

Tucked behind the teashop is an artist workspace, where up-and-coming manga and comic artists create and share their work inside the retail store. Glimpses of their process animate the back wall of the teashop, connecting customers to the art form of comics.

This is a place where art and artists are celebrated and childlike wonder whirls you away into another realm, a space to linger.