Green Shoots in Strip Retail: Boutique Port Douglas Based Fashion Store Finds New Home on Toorak Road, South Yarra.

In a promising sign for Melbourne strip retail, fashion brand Tzusk, originally based in Port Douglas, known for its thoughtful styling and elegant pieces, has secured a new home at 131 Toorak Road, South Yarra, ahead of an exciting rebrand to Aniseed Melbourne.

The new boutique will mark a fresh chapter for founder Di Perry, who is joining forces with her daughter, Kate, owner of the much loved Aniseed Boutique & Home in Geelong. The mother-daughter duo will bring their refined, timeless aesthetic to one of Melbourne’s most desirable retail locations, offering a curated edit of fashion and homewares with an emphasis on quality and understated luxury.

“We’re thrilled to open the doors to Aniseed Melbourne and bring our signature style to Toorak Road,” says Di.

“Our customers love thoughtful design, quality materials and timeless style and we’re delighted to offer this in South Yarra.”

Located in the heart of one of the city’s most dynamic lifestyle precincts, 131 Toorak Road is surrounded by some of Australia’s leading fashion and design brands, including Aesop, Mecca Cosmetica, Bromley & Co, Scanlan Theodore, and offers the kind of foot traffic and visibility emerging brands rarely find.

South Yarra has seen a wave of recent development across the Chapel Street and Toorak Road precincts, with major projects including Goldfields House (627 Chapel Street), the Gurner-led redevelopment of the iconic Jam Factory, Oreana’s South Yarra Square, V-Leader’s 189 Toorak Road, and HOME’s 671 Chapel Street. This ongoing investment is revitalising the area and driving increased foot traffic, with a growing mix of mixed-use offerings creating valuable opportunities for retailers to thrive in a well-rounded, high-amenity precinct.

According to Luke Peric, Senior Manager at Jones Real Estate, this lease reflects the continued strength of Melbourne’s best-performing retail strips.

“Toorak Road has seen one of the most significant improvements in vacancy rates across Melbourne. It’s now sitting at just 4.6%, well below the 20-year average,” he says.

“It’s clear that boutique retailers are seeking out vibrant, character-rich strips that offer a direct connection with their customers – and this stretch of Toorak Road is ticking all the right boxes.”

Set within a freshly refurbished space with strong street presence and rear access, the store will serve as a natural extension of the brand’s identity, with a focus on tactile in-store experiences and warm, personal service.

Aniseed Melbourne is expected to open mid-2025.