A mother-daughter trip to West End is never complete without a visit to this place - my mum…read moreabsolutely loves it. Don't stop reading! She actually has pretty funky taste in shoes. I've never seen so many Doc Martens anywhere else (my mum does not wear Doc Martens). They have plenty of other big brands like Birkenstock, Florsheim and Sketchers. There's a lot of great stuff here; quality shoes that look stylish and unique but also look like they would be comfortable. There's heaps of stuff for men as well, with the place seeming to be equally popular between the sexes.

Shays Shoes was established in 1901! How crazy is that? My friend's Mum was telling me about how…read morewhen she used to work in West End in the early 70s, she'd go to Shays Shoes after work and gaze longingly at their range of shoes and wait until she'd earned enough money to go and blow some of her paycheck there. I love that Shays Shoes has been around for so long and is still selling many of the brands that they sold back in the 70s. They still sell a big range range of Dr. Martens, Birkenstocks, and Hush Puppies. Maybe one of the reasons that Shays Shoes has been around for so long is that they manage to cater for everyone. Whether you're a youth wanting a pair of floral-patterned docs, a Mum wanting some Birkenstocks, or a Grandma after some comfy Hush Puppies, Shays has always been the place to find a treat for your feet. I bought Docs here a few years back and they were so helpful and lovely and I still enjoy browsing their new stock when I'm in the area. Some things are built to last and Shays Shoes is one of them.

Jo Mercer's shoes generally are like Cinderella's slipper for me. They fit like a glove and last a…read morelong time. So when my last pair fell victim to the great Puppy Chew of 2013, I headed back to her great range of classic pieces. The lady on shift when I arrived was already exuding grace under fire as she dealt with a demanding customer but still found time to help me. My visits may be infrequent as I often wear shoes til they are "dead" but I'll always return for quality and great customer service here.

I got my small Samsonite suitcase fixed by Craig a few months ago and was impressed by his…read morewonderful and prompt service. Since then, I continued to have his help fix my handbag and saw a handle strip for two travel bags each. I'm very happy with his craftsmanship and careful design to cater to my needs. It's not easy to find such craftsmanship and a reasonable price for fixing my beloved bags. Thanks so much, Craig.

this place is also called Cobblers Inn and Steward's leather and grinder…read more After waiting over 4 weeks for a repair that should have taken 1 week, I went Io get my bag back to take elsewhere. Instead of tending to finding my bag, the owner decided to join conversations relating to other customers coming in after myself. I ask if he please could fetch my bag from the back so I could get going - and then it started. They both turned to me said they didn't take orders, calling me typical American and Trump supporter. OMG! I'm btw not American. But why would you start profiling anyone?! they laughed and said - I could see that - when I explained that English isn't my first language ( after asking them to "fetch" my bag instead of "get"). Racist. Not customer friendly, sarcastic and actually very slow - as after 4 weeks it still wasn't completed. I do not recommend place.

On Vulture Street just up from The Cupcake Parlour and before the strangely out of place Asian…read moregrocer sits 'The Happy Cabin'. Walking through the doors you're greeted by a carefully collected emporium of unique, kitsch and Etsy-esque wares. The stores motto says: "A haven for sexy lumberjacks, dorky girls and lovers of worldly design and trinketry." Couldn't have said it better myself. There's the mint green brogues, the gold boots, Field Notes pencils and notebooks and a geometric print onesie that I imagine is only able to be worn by a Ginger bearded man with a fox hat on his head. As I'm distracted by the wonderful eye candy within this absolutely happy cabin I chatter with the owner's partner, Jaime and this is all part of the experience. It is so inviting and homely, as a cabin might be, and I want to pull up a chair, grab a coffee and continue nattering away. Truth be told, the space would be rather fitting for a in-store cafe and maybe even a roasty faux fire to give a true cabin feel. And points to the owners for creating a store where you walk out feeling happy, creative, embracing your dorkiness and plotting how you might acquire a few more things from their range. Joining venues like The End, I think The Happy Cabin will be one of the first in a line of new additions to West End that will only add to the revitalisation of this end of Vulture Street.

The Happy Cabin have been picky and choosy with their stock, not having a ridiculously large range…read morebut being 100% behind every item they've decided to sell. I was pleased to correctly identify the shoes and bags as coming from ex-Etsy store Golden Ponies, where everything is beautifully handmade in Mexico. The gent behind the counter informed me that almost everything in the Happy Cabin comes from Etsy sellers, so that's pretty great. Having such a small and hand-picked collection of wares, I'd love to see a couple of plus-size items on the racks too. There are only so many bags, shoes and notebooks I can pick up while glancing at the stacks of clothes racks I can't buy from. Speaking of notebooks, though... I'm a stationery addict, and I couldn't leave without letting myself buy the limited edition National Crop Edition of Field Notes memo books. It was nice to observe that there isn't a ridiculous retail markup on any of the items in store, either - stay off etsy and just visit the Happy Cabin, Brisbane.