Nostalgic prints and gift wrapping for shoppers on Collins St

By Jemma van Zaanen

Christmas is coming to Collins St this month with city shoppers able to purchase festive prints celebrating one of Melbourne’s iconic streets.

A Pop-Up Wrap Shop in Howey Place, accessible via Little Collins St, will be running all the way through December until Christmas Eve with prints and wrapping services.

The ready to frame prints will feature photos of historical Melbourne streets and architectural drawings of Collins St’s most famous buildings from as early as 1885.

Shoppers can get in the festive spirit with Christmas music and browse historical Melbourne images while they enjoy complimentary gift wrapping if they spend $50 with participating Collins Street Precinct businesses.

Ten dollars from every sale will go to StreetSmart Australia which supports vulnerable Australians with donations helping to provide accommodation, material aid and food security for local projects.

StreetSmart Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation focusing on homelessness, and it raises money to support and provide grants throughout Australia.

Collins Street Precinct president Luke Harris hopes to celebrate the precinct and the role it plays over the Christmas period.

“It’s undeniable the role that Collins Street Precinct plays for Melbournians at Christmas and throughout the year. We hope to build on the festivities with our Pop-Up Wrap Shop to give the perfect finishing touch to your Christmas gifts this year,” Mr Harris said.

As we continue to advocate for the Melbourne CBD’s recovery, StreetSmart is the ideal partner as it will channel donations directly to local projects in the CBD.

Shoppers can purchase a coffee table book Collins: The Story of Australia’s Premier Street, which celebrates the historic Collins St and pre-colonial settlement through to the present day.

The pop-up shop will be running December 8, 10, 15, 16 17, 22 and 24.

For more information, visit: collinsstreet.com.au/christmasoncollins

Caption: (L-R) Chief Executive Officer of StreetSmart Australia, Geoff Hills, Lord Mayor Sally Capp, President of Collins Street Precinct Group, Luke Harris.