Monday, November 12, 2012

Renovation at the Boroughs


We'll be closed Tuesday the 13th and Wednesday the 14th while we do the finishing touches on a little renovation we're doing at Five Boroughs.
There's a sign on the door and post on our Facebook page to let you good folks know that we'll be back on deck on Thursday the 15th looking refreshed and ready.
Looking forward to seeing you then



This picture is President Truman's renovation of the White House, 17 May 1950







Thursday, November 01, 2012

ET call home

We're very happy to report that our phone number has been restored - 9388 1618



Friday, October 26, 2012

Telephone problems

Here at the Five Boroughs we've unfortunately been without our telephone for two weeks.
We won't go into detail - it's boring and talking to telephone companies is like something out of a Kafka play.


If you've been trying call us you might have noticed the number rings out.
For the time being you can call us on 9388 9095.
Ver soon our old number will be restored - not long to wait now we're told.
Stay patient.

Friday, September 07, 2012

Quality

Our first post, as the title suggests is about objects of quality.

Our friend Jim Spencer is a man who understands this term well.
Over the years Jimmy has worked across many facets of the textile industry - mostly employed for his considerable organisational skills. 
This unfortunately belies his intuitive understanding of great design. Like all people with a keen eye for and an understanding of art and design it's immediately visible in his lived environment. Jim has collected some beautiful pieces of Mid Century furniture and artwork.

So it should be no surprise that Jim found a way to bring his vision to a wider public so that he could quit his day job.

Over the last seven years Jim has been quietly feeding and developing his passion for vintage eyewear.
What started as service to the film industry - sourcing period correct specs for film projects as diverse as Mr Spielberg's,  The Pacific to more recently Paper Giants has now flowed over to lucky folks like you and me.




Initially Jim found forgotten glasses and frames in the garages of retired opticians in Melbourne.
After some late nights in his attic he Googled up a connection with a French optical warehouse that had been closed for over 20 years. Selecta - manufactured frames and sunglasses from post war to the 1980's - most exported to one New York optician.
What a treasure trove he found.






When some of his favorite styles began to run out Jim saw the opportunity to use his considerable ingenuity and have copies produced in Italy to the highest quality standards - Italian acetate frames with German glass lenses.
These are beautiful reproductions of frame shapes that remind us of James Dean, Allen Ginsberg, Clark Kent and Senator McCarthy.



We're very happy to be one of the few stores that Jim has allowed to represent his vision and passion for superbly designed and manufactured eyewear.





Respect


We're finally making a start.

First we'd like to acknowledge the work that Steph and Kyle invested into developing Five Boroughs over the last 4 and half years. Evidence of their creative and skilled hands is visible wherever you look in the shop. Their vision and foresight in locating the store in what was (2007) a very unlikely location shows how ahead of the curve their thinking is. Add to this their ability to craft a store experience that has clarity around objects, and is uncluttered spaciousness, confirms their skills.

We wish them every success in future as a family and as artisans.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Hello & Goodbye

Hey, it's been a long while between posts here on the Five Boroughs blog, but here we are once again, this time however will be the last post from Steph & Kyle.
After nearly five years of business in Brunswick we've decided it time to move on.
We would like to extend a very big thank you to all our valued customers and suppliers and let them know that we have been overwhelmed by the continued support and enjoyment that we've felt since opening and running the shop.
The success of the shop has been thanks to such a wonderful community in and around Brunswick and we're now happy to introduce the new owners Alasdair MacKinnon and Justine Law. We wish them all the best and thank you for your support.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

So I got a delivery from 'Sunday Morning' late yesterday, we had a great chat and discussed a few exciting things to follow, including photos from their recent shoot! 

But you see I was far to eager to wait and after realising that I'd left my camera at home took these....we've got their new t-shirt designs, gorgeous fleece jumpers for you little ones and grey pillowcase sets for the boys.

Pillowcases have been released in grey marle for the boys...who apparently needed convincing of the greatness?! Anyway they look fabulous!
And you'll have to cope with a double up on photos once the girls have sent their professional pictures through.

Thursday, June 09, 2011

So we're going through a few changes here at the Boroughs including the introduction of our weekend staff member...Olivia.
Who owned up to having some fun with photo booth this past weekend....and then promptly forgot to delete!

Make sure you pop in and make her feel welcome!

Wednesday, June 08, 2011


If you've dared leave the house today you'll know that Melbourne is a cold place to be today....and will be for sometime now, on the upside we've got some lovely toasty pieces in from Otto & Spike again this year to keep you going.


Above: 'Rich & Drunk' is made of 100% cotton and has some great typography.
Below: 'Gernreich' is available in 3 colourways and is 100% Merino Wool.


Below: Can be a matching beanie.....100% of the softest, yummy merino lambswool.


Personal favorite this season the 'Double Negative' is available in blue, olive, black and red and are just so lovely and warm in 100% merino lambswool.


Finally 'Velvet' which people have been loving, you can see why it's gorgeous! In 100% lambswool again and bound to keep you snugly. 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011


Hope all the mums out there had fabulous Mothers Days....we sure did!
Welcome to more cold winter weather....we've just received some gorgeous new purses, journals and pencils cases from 'The rabbit and the duck'.



Also checkout wintery goods over at The design files guest blog, there are some great pieces including a few 'otto & spike' pieces that you can pick up in store!

REMEMBER: just about everything you see on the blog you can email us about more details, we are always happy to wrap up and send interstate, or across town! hello!

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Thinking about mum, well you all should be! She's the one to spoil this weekend...heres a few ideas!


Otto & Spike have hit the shelves and the streets already with this seasons new range of lovable scarves, beanies, mittens and gloves.

Show her some pampering with 'denu' range of hand creams, baths salts, body wash or lip balms. Organic and all made in Melbourne. Or some lovely ceramics.



 Want to whisper something sweet? Try starting with a 'sown'sow' card, these cuties come with a pack of organic seeds, a poem and space for a note worthy of passing.



Perhaps she needs some time to sit and relax? Grab a copy of 'Spaces' put together by the family at Frankie Magazine (local favorite) let her sip a coffee in a new mug....cosy in some really happy socks?

Friday, April 29, 2011


This is just a quick snap of the selection of really cute socks in store right now! Want happy feet this winter come in and see us!
Strips and crazy colours plus more mens sizes!

Thursday, April 28, 2011


Mmm, hungry for a  gelato anyone?? Hookturn have delivered these delicious range of pastels just in time to awaken mum with a coffee....four colours pink, green, blue and lemon.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Hello, just to let you all know the shop will be CLOSED from Friday 22nd and re Open on Wednesday 27th.

Also our phones are working again! NBN had carefully cut through the phone/eftpos line yesterday, so any queries over the weekend, leave a message.

Hope you all enjoy some chocolate and quite break, see you next week.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

We're looking for weekend staff....if your interested email us at info@fiveboroughs.com.au. Look forward to hearing from you.

Friday, April 15, 2011


Yee Haa look at these cute tees from Brunswick buddies 'Sunday Morning Designs'. Starting in sizes for those closer to toddling this time round (yes thats Charlie now!). In super fine cotton, made, designed and printed locally, just lovely.

Monday, April 11, 2011


One day a sweet girl came into our store and told us she was designing some stationary and would we be interested in seeing it...some time later she popped back in and in that time she had created 'Ask Alice'. Designed, printed, made in Melbourne which is quite an effort. We have just had a delivery from her in the past couple of weeks and if you've got some notes to jot or a memoir to scribe this is it. Beautiful fabric, hard covered books are just one of her off springs. Pop in to see other designs.

Sunday, April 10, 2011


Country swap meet this weekend, and these were added to the family. I was working in the shop when an email came through quoting that there had been car purchases made, I was wondering how much more could possibly fit in the garage, and now I can happily try fit these in the toy box....also over flowing!

Happy weekends everyone.
Sunday photo
Left; dads old, dirty shoe
Right; charlies new, clean shoe

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Just a quick reminder about the online auction that is now live and ready for your bidding- all proceeds are being donated to Red Cross Japan and Pacific Appeal 2011- follow this link there are some wonderful items, iheartjapan.