Why we’re obsessed about OCD+Co

Open since November 2018, Jordan and his team are the start of a long list of people who have decided to make Inglewood their place of work. Jordan and his team work with one simple tool to create healthy and neat dreadlocks. Find out exactly what that is by reading below!

1// What is the business about?
OCD + Co is the shop name and my business is called Obsessive Compulsive Dreadlocks. We specialise in creating and maintaining dreadlocks, just using a crochet hook, no wax or nasty products. We make very neat, clean dreadlocks and advise on the best aftercare to keep them looking amazing and healthy. We also share the space with Hair Mastery Perth who are an amazing hairdressing duo specialising in blondes.

2// What is unique about your business?
I think what we do is very unique, there are very few salons in Perth that specialise in dreadlocks, which means we have clients from all over the state coming to see us. Keeps things fun and interesting having clients from such diverse backgrounds.

3// How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
I lived in Melbourne for over 10 years, which is where I learnt my trade. I travelled between Perth and Melbourne for 4 years looking after my clientele in both states before making the move back to Perth and making it home once again. There definitely seemed to be a high demand in Perth for quality dreadlock work and we were happy to fill that gap in the market and our clients seem pretty glad that we did!

4// Why Inglewood?
Beaufort Street has always been my favourite street in Perth, I think it has the coolest mix of businesses and has the best vibe and we wanted to be part of it all and add to its vibrancy. We’ve been open in Inglewood since November and are very happy! We have amazing neighbours at Cult Cosmetica, Total Brow and Hoodburger and are excited about our upcoming neighbours Clear Mind Studio. I think It’s an amazing time for Inglewood!

5// What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Coffee helps, then just the excitement of what we’re doing that day! 

6// What does a typical day look like for you?
We try to squeeze in as much caffeine as possible before starting our days as we spend 2-3 hours minimum with most clients and up to 8 hours with some, so don’t always get a lot of breaks. There’s not really any shortcuts with what we do, so days can be quite long. On the plus side, we spend our days talking to and learning about so many amazing people, so that really helps!

7// What’s the most rewarding thing about running your own business?
The freedom! Also, just being able to create something that people love and appreciate, makes all the effort worth it.

8// What’s the most surprising thing about running your own business?
All the behind the scenes stuff! A lot of work goes into all the advertising and social media, to actually get to the point where you have clients in those chairs every day.  Luckily, I love doing all that stuff, but is a lot more work than most people would think.

9// What’s the smartest business or life hack you use?!
Scheduling posts on social media! Saves so much time and means you can have things posted at your busiest times without having to always think about it.

10// Company’s mantra?
Highest quality work, each and every time.


Obsessive Compulsive Dreadlocks @ “OCD + Co”
828B Beaufort Street, Inglewood 6052
OCD + Co Website
Facebook
Instagram
ocdlox@gmail.com
0431 318 550 

Beaufort Street’s newest friendly Thai restaurant!

10 With… Kasama’s Thai Kitchen!

Even more reason to get excited at the Inglewood end of Beaufort Street! Another business has opened its doors to the locals. We catch up with the newbies in the ‘Wood.

We have been long time fans of Kasama and her food truck at the Inglewood Night Markets for the past few seasons. Nothing can beat her and the team’s enthusiasm for authentic, freshly made-to-order Thai food – all served with her trademark winning smile.

Kasama and Neil in front of their new premises

Not to rest on their laurels, Kasama and her partner Neil have over the last few weeks been setting up their first bricks and mortar shop on Beaufort Street, so we had a sit down in the ‘nearly finished’ space at 850a Beaufort Street to talk about the journey so far…

1. What’s the story so far?

Kasama’s Thai Kitchen is about three years old and there is no sign of slowing down for the pair! But Kasama’s journey with food started at a much earlier age. For Kasama’s formative years, she was raised by her grandmother (Kasama lovingly refers to her as ‘Granma’.) and she taught her to cook in a very holistic way. When she returned from school she would help her Granma in the kitchen – but she was only allowed to observe for many years. This taught Kasama that creating food dishes is creative, soulful and comes from the heart. All of Kasama’s inspiration comes from her Granma and her teachings. It has given Kasama a unique way to cook and she says it’s a “spiritual experience”.

2. Why did you choose Inglewood?

After looking around in neighbouring areas (Neil and his family have been in the Bayswater area for 25+ years) they decided upon the Inglewood Beaufort Street strip because of the regeneration of the old Bunnings site to a Woolworths, as well as its proximity to the Monday Night Markets. The area is on the up in their eyes and they want to be part of the reinvigoration and be part of the hustle and bustle.

3. What is a typical day for Kasama?

After getting a daily fresh food delivery, Kasama preps all of the food for their upcoming events. Kasama doesn’t stop thinking up ideas and dishes so she is constantly on the go!
The food truck is in use up to 5 days a week and as Kasama makes everything to order, the prep work is chopping, peeling and making sauce bases from scratch every day.

4. What’s the most surprising thing about owning your own business?

Both Neil and Kasama love the freedom that comes with being your own boss. They are producing a quality food product and that takes time and effort to make sure it is perfect, every time. Kasama sometimes cooks until 3am in the mornings to cater for the 360 meals made to order in the food truck on any given night!

5. What are your business neighbours like?

Neil and Kasama have not wasted any time in introducing themselves to their neighbours; Alan the hairdresser directly opposite, Tom at Hoodburger and the neigbourly love is being reciprocated with the boys from the tattoo shop helping with the shop fit-out, Fitness 858 donating a whiteboard for the kitchen and Natalie from Vintage Hairess already having Kasama in for a little pamper! It’s safe to say that they are making themselves at home in the ‘hood!

6. What will be the food theme of the shop?

Kasama has a strong vision for the shop food – and that is to showcase her Granma’s unique Thai food. Unlike Westernised versions of Thai food, Kasama grew up in Bangkok and the food from that area is the recognised national food of the country.  Granma’s style and freshness is as authentic as it gets and that may be very different to what Australians are used to!

7. Have you met any Perthanalities yet?!

While scoping out the area, Neil and Kasama were enjoying a spot of salami at Mondo’s Butchers. We all know that if Vince is in, he’d love to meet you and that’s exactly what Neil decided to do! 

8. Any funny stories?

With Kasama being Thai and Neil a local Aussie boy, there is sometimes a little lost in translation moments! One such moment was when Neil was sent out for ‘coconut’ and trawled several places looking for a whole coconut. Coming back empty handed, Kasama was surprised that he couldn’t find any – so sent one of the staff out to get coconut. And soon came back with a can of coconut milk, just as Kasama wanted! 

9. Just how many food trucks have you owned?

In just three short years, not long after meeting, Neil and Kasama quit their day jobs (office work and Baldivis Farm respectively) and bought a small food truck to start trading from. Kasama cooks EVERYTHING in the truck and it became apparent after one full season on the Perth food scene that a bigger truck was required! Operating for two years as a food truck vendor has made them realise that in order to cater to their growing devoted authentic Thai food fans, they need even bigger premises to cater from, and the restaurant/shop was created to fill that need. Working as a professional kitchen to cater for their food truck business, they will also have approx. 30 covers in their restaurant! 

“It seemed like the next step on our journey” Neil.

10. Company Motto?

Fresh and healthy. 

“Everything is made with love, just like Granma taught me” Kasama.

11. Favourite Kasama’s Thai Kitchen dish?

Kasama is a BIG fan of fish and eats that most of the time.  The favourite of the markets is the Pad Thai, which uses authentic Bangkok ingredients and that is what differentiates it from the rest. But Kasama couldn’t choose her favourite as she loves everything that she makes. To her, they are all as good as each other.

12. What has been the best thing about starting Kasama’s Thai Kitchen?

Both Neil and Kasama have lots of people that have been huge supporters of their venture – the patrons that keep coming back for more and telling their friends to try it. But behind the scenes the best thing has been their families. Kasama’s Granma who raised her in Bangkok and shared her amazing gift with food with a young Kasama and her father who let Kasama trade a little food shop next to his aged 14. Neil’s family have been instrumental in making Kasama’s Thai Kitchen a success; supporting the talent and abilities of Kasama and even helping out in the food truck in the early days. 

They opened its doors in Late March. It’s was delayed due to making sure the kitchen and fit out is as they wanted it. The site was quite messy (and very pink!) and the team have been transforming the space into  a pleasant place to sit and enjoy some authentic Thai! The food truck is also being catered for, with a new paved area to the rear to call home, so paving has been put down to make sure the truck is as comfortable in its new home as the patrons will be in the restaurant area!

From looking for premises to opening in just 8 WEEKS. Amazing work guys!

What is plain to see about Kasama’s Thai Kitchen is the passion that stems from everyone involved. The boundless energy and belief in the food and HOW it has been produced. Quality and authenticity is what makes Kasama’s food different from the rest and I bet that million dollar smile will win the hearts of many an Inglewoodian along the way!

Kasama’s Thai Kitchen
850a Beaufort Street
Telephone: 0411 330 688
Facebook: https: @kasamasthaikitchen
Website: Kasamas.com.au

To read more about the amazing businesses on Beaufort Street, take a look through our blog pages: Chef and Co, and Hoodburger.

Is Beaufort Street ‘not as good as it used to be’?

Following the recent closure of some long-standing restaurants in Highgate and Mount Lawley, it does seem to beg the question why? There are so many factors unfortunately that can have an impact on a business, from high rents, to a slowing economy that saps consumer confidence as well as a suburb just not being ‘in favour’. Sad-looking empty shops in Subiaco, Mount Lawley and Highgate are testament to some of those factors and Inglewood hasn’t been immune either but is Inglewood showing signs of bucking this trend?

We know of at least 10 new independent businesses that have opened their doors in late 2018 or are about to. Are Inglewood’s lower rents, heritage buildings and an increasingly buzzing shopping strip becoming more and more appealing to smaller businesses’ looking for the next cool suburb? Well…., maybe (and yes we are obviously biased)!

It’s pretty obvious to anyone who lives locally that the area is evolving, changing and becoming a ‘destination’. As the local community group it’s something that Inglewood On Beaufort have been working so hard on helping to achieve. Nestled between the long-standing Mount Lawley and the still-cool-but-a-little-edgy Maylands, Inglewood has long been overlooked due to the fast-paced commuters on our main road into the city. But one by one, fabulous business owners are taking advantage of the up-and-coming area. 

New business owners Kasama and Neil are opening up their commercial kitchen – Kasama’s Thai Kitchen – to supply their long standing food truck and serve locals from their small front of house. They are regulars at the Monday Night Markets and the location was perfect for them, having access to loyal Market customers who travel to the event as well as locals who have already expressed a warm welcome on social media to the couple. 

Brothers Matt and Tom Shaw have opened their second burger joint Hoodburger to queues and a full house most weekends. Matt told us one of the main reasons they decided upon Inglewood was the competitive rents, and the fact they are in VERY excellent company with the shops in their direct vicinity. Businesses ARE looking at Inglewood as a viable option to open up shop!

Another side to the story of our businesses on Beaufort Street are the people who have seen it all and bought the t-shirt. The stalwarts of the strip, we’re talking Vince at Mondo’s Butchers, John of John’s Gentlemen’s Hairdressing, Sean at Bonanza Paint, Murray of the Inglewood Hotel and Larry & John at New Look Dry Cleaners. These long standing businesses form the backbone of our shopping strip and bring in many loyal customers. Without a mixture of these iconic businesses as well as the ‘new blood’ it makes an incredible cross section of shopping needs.

We also have a huge number of services along the way too – let’s not forget the Tyrepower boys, the accountants, real estate and health & beauty businesses. This selection of businesses is what makes Inglewood as a shopping destination more viable and more interesting. Yes, we have empty areas at the northern end of the strip. Progress in the current financial climate is slower than anyone would hope for. But, with such quality establishments as Cecchi’s, excellent restaurant and takeaway The Jolly Good Indian, newly opened Chef & Co, and soon to open (May 2019) award winning Kustom Klaws as well as the Paleo orientated butcher Paddock + Farm all giving the Bedford end of the strip a reason to thrive, it’s surely not going to be long before people start to fill in the gaps and redevelopments begins. 

And then at the other end of the strip, we have the family run, juggernaut of Three Coins and Trio, Louis spinning some of the finest coffee’s from Nexus and then, above Louis is the jawdropping foodie heaven that is 2nd Ave IGA……..and nestled in between Aldi looks like they are breaking ground soon in alignment with their late 2019 opening date. Bringing with it 2 retail spaces and a café space on site. We’re finding it hard to come up with any reasons why Beaufort Street is in trouble!

Progress in the ‘hood is a good and timely thing. The area deserves a shopping strip that is vibrant and eclectic. We have an excellent range of facilities that we can use at our disposal. Sure, it’s not as pretty as Mount Hawthorn’s Scarborough Beach Road, or have the potential ‘stroll-ability’ that you may find in Leederville’s Oxford Street, but it is accessible (thanks State Route 53!) and we do have vibrant hubs the whole way along Beaufort Street.

It’s good for the area, it’s good for the local economy and it’s good for the soul. Shopping local means that businesses get to earn a living, form relationships with all of us and we get the BEST service we can from our Strip. It’s a win-win for us all!

Who’s in the Hood?

10 with… Hoodburger!

“It’s all about simple, done well.”
Matt, Hoodburger.

We all get very excited when a new business comes to our neck of the wood. And we are VERY excited about Perth’s very own cult burger outlet opening up on Beaufort St!

The Inglewood venue has been 2 years in the making (yes, you read that right, 2 years!) with lots of too-ing and fro-ing with the City of Stirling, planners and developers. Working with respected interior designers Design Theory of Freo on the fit out, Matt and his brother Tom have made sure their new burger joint will be somewhere to sit and relish. (Sorry, not sorry about the pun!)

We had a chat with Matt, Hoodburger’s own boss-man, logo maker and recipe perfecter about the ‘Wood’s newest burger hangout…

1// What’s the story?
A passion for cooking has been at the heart of Hoodburger since the early days of buying a $1,300 BBQ to help supplement studying. Little did Matt know that off the back of doing pop-up events around Perth and catering to crowds of 300+ (in a 30 year old kitchen!) at Baysie Bowling Club that Hoodburger would have a bricks and mortar shop in Northbridge in 2017 and be opening a second in Inglewood – all in under 2.5 years!

2// What is unique about Hoodburger?
The quality of the food. Everything is sourced from WA and painstakingly chosen for their quality. Their burger buns are a well-guarded secret! Working with the bakery, the brothers have perfected the Hoodburger bun to perfection and many competitors have asked for the recipe – unsuccessfully!

3// Tell us about the burgers?
So much time and thought has gone into each burger. A small range, done to perfection is the name of the game at Hoodburger. A liquor licence (from Mid 2019) means there will be a variety of beers from local breweries chosen to compliment the burgers. 

4// Where did the idea for Hoodburger come from?
The name Hoodburger came from the 1997 movie Good Burger and started as a ‘one night only’ cooking burgers out the back of The Bird in Northbridge. 

5// Why Inglewood?
Matt: “Being surrounded by cool boutique shops in Inglewood such as Billie + Rose and La Luna made the decision to make Inglewood home easy. We are excited to be part of the new wave of businesses in that part of Inglewood.”

6// Biggest challenge converting the Inglewood site?
The learning curve has been huge for the Hoodburger boys! A brand-new full refurb of the site’s old offices created its own challenges. “Working with a designer on the refit has been fun and working through the required regulations with the City has been a lengthy process, but it has been worth it to get what we want.” Having a corporate business background as well as in graphic design and hospitality, Matt has been able to draw on his experience in all of these past lives to help him create Hoodburger. 

7// Best Hoodburger?!
Matt: “I can’t say! Each one has been tested and tweaked to what we think is perfection. My favourite burger is a plain cheeseburger. Simple and perfectly cooked.”

8// Company’s Mantra?
We love simple, high quality burgers.

9// Guilty pleasure?
Beer and a burger (of course!)

10// Who will be overseeing Hoodburger Inglewood?
Some of their loyal and highly skilled staff great staff are coming over from the Northbridge site, as well as brother Tom will be manager and part owner of Hoodburger Inglewood.

Hood burger is opening its doors on Monday 4th March.
For more information check out their Facebook page: @itshoodburger or start drooling over their burgers on their Instagram feed: @itshoodburger

Hoodburger.
848 Beaufort Street. 
Open daily. BYO welcome.
Sun – Thurs: 11am – 9pm 
Fri and Sat: 11am – 10pm

New Kids on the Block Pt.1

It’s an exciting time on our Beaufort St. strip right now. We are seeing lots of businesses choosing the Inglewood on Beaufort neighbourhood to locate their shops. This is the first in a series of blog posts welcoming our new neighbours to the ‘Wood.

This Friday (18th Jan) see’s the much anticipated new revamp of the restaurant at 1000 Beaufort St, Bedford. Chef & Co Restaurant is the brainchild of successful business owner Yvonne Khan and Chef and Co-Owner Darren King.

With Darren produces modern Australian dishes paired with excellent local wines. A variety of dishes that suit all, including a children’s menu. Spoilt for choice – see for yourself here!

Wanting to know more about them and the new business we asked co-owner Yvonne a few questions about Chef & Co:

1// Hello, my name is… 
Yvonne Khan.

2// What is the business about?
Chef & Co has been created by Yvonne Khan (owner) and Darren King (owner/chef) Australian modern cuisine using fresh produce and local wines from the unique Swan Valley.

3// What’s your story? 
Having lived in Melbourne during my early years and deciding to go into Hospitality training in Hotel Management, moving to Tasmania, Alice Springs and then Perth for various roles in the industry. 

My biggest achievement has been to renovate and open the award winning Padburys in Guildford which I owned for 12 years.  This building use to be a co-op, then a warehouse so it was a huge renovation no running  water, rewiring the whole building, no gas.  The kitchen was a horse stable!

4// How do you start your day?
With a good cup of coffee, I live in the Swan Valley so fortunate to live on 10 acres I also run a small Bed and Breakfast on the property so I do keep busy.

5// What does a typical day look like for you?
Just not enough hours for me with the workload, but I still manage to have a decent social life.

6// Most memorable facepalm moment? 
I think finding out I was pregnant with Georgia was the most memorable and surprising for me.

7// What’s the most surprising thing about running your own business? 
I love talking to different people and ensuring they have a great experience in my venue.

8// Company’s motto? 
Good food. Good Service. Value for money.

9// Favourite coffee haunt?!
My house

10// Guilty pleasure?
Chocolate and too much socializing with lots of nice wine and good friends.

Chef & Co Restaurant is open for business from Friday 18th January.
1000 Beaufort Street, Bedford.

Serves lunch, dinner and coffee.
Groups, parties, walk-ins and children welcome.
For bookings email: bookings@chefandcorestaurant.com.au
For more information check out their Facebook page: @chefandcorestaurant

FREE Family friendly Fringe at Fr’Inglewood

We are just a teeny-tiny bit excited about our first dip into the world of Fringe. Adding even more family fun to Monday nights at the Inglewood on Beaufort Street night markets from January 14th for FIVE WEEKS!

Fr’Inglewood will feature a fun mix of child-friendly dance, singalongs, circus, acrobatics and music as part of the buildup to Perth’s annual summer Fringe World festival. We have some of the most wonderful acts performing highlights from their Fringe World shows all in the ‘Wood! Check them out from 6:15pm – 8:30pm on Mondays in the Inglewood Town Square.

From a nine-piece Soul band to pirate fun for the kids, the free family event, aims to support the artists of Perth’s Fringe World Festival, including WA’s ‘Homegrown Heroes’ – talented local artists and performers.

If you live in a cave and don’t know much about Fringe, well here’s a quick low-down; Fringe World is a annual event with 700 acts, around 138 venues and performance spaces over 31 days from January 19. It is a mix of paid and free events catering for the young, the young at heart and everyone else in between! 

Music at Fr’Inglewood in the 2019 season will include the nine-piece Milford Street Shakers with a live showcase from its Soul Slap! performance, which takes a journey across the iconic 60s musical landscape of Soul, Blues and R&B to dance along to the Watusi, the Mashed Potato and the Twist in a dance party of epic proportions.

Forever in my Life is a tribute to performer Prince  which will be a taster of Prince songs, stories and musings with fringe artist Michael Wheatley who had a close connection with Prince’s music and art and performed the lead role in the Australian Prince Show in the early 90s.

Through the music of Prince, Michael explores the blurry lines between inspiration and imitation, the connection we feel we have with our idols and the grief we can feel at the loss of someone we’ve never even met.

More Soul music comes in the form of Movin’ Melvin Brown’s, 50s 60s Black soul music plus tap.

Melvin is regarded as the last of the great song and dance men with a career of song, tap dance and storytelling over five decades and featuring songs of Ray Charles, James Brown, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding and tap-dancing to Michael Jackson music.

With a focus more on the youngsters, Do you SEA me? is a singalong, LED-light juggling, circus, a sea shanty circus show on the high seas.

Perth circus artist, Pirateman Michael brings all the cliches of piracy to a show of sing-alongs in between contact juggling, LED/fire spinning, flow arts, and illusionary acts.

While Let it go! Singalong and Dance was created for children aged 3 to 12, mums and dads are also encouraged to join in the fun with favourite songs from kids’ films.

Come dressed as your favourite character, like a mermaid, princess, genie, pirate, or lion for this show created by Zane Alexander and Chloe King, stars of live shows including The Wish Upon A Star Disney Ball (Perth Convention Centre), Shrek, Ben 10, and Scooby Doo.

Bringing along more fun for the kids is How to Catch a Unicorn, where unicorns Skyla and Felicity take your kids on an enchanted, magical journey to try and find their very own unicorn friend.

There are more pirates with Pirates!! where children can choose their own adventure pirate show with Pirate Captains Boots and Redbeard. 

Pirates!! takes groups of children from age 4 to 12, on an imaginary journey in search of treasure while seamlessly integrating the children’s input into the plot.

For your fun, circus entertainment we bring you YUCK! Circus – a powerhouse of female circus performers using high-flying acrobatics combined with comedy and dance.

And for those looking for a Monday night laugh I can make you Irish, is stand-up comedy from award winning comic Mary Bourke who presents a hilarious show on what it means to be ‘authentically Irish’.

As well as ALL THIS entertainment, Inglewood Monday Night Markets is still the ONLY way to enjoy a ‘no cook Monday’ with a combination of food trucks, marquees and shops along Beaufort Street including bars, restaurants, coffee shops, gift and lifestyle shops to browse.

We know where we will be on Jan 14th and every monday afterwards for 5 weeks. See you there! 

What’s Up on Beaufort Street?

Exploring Crime, Traffic Risks and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)

We are thrilled to say that our CPTED report is finished and available for all to read! Commissioned by Inglewood on Beaufort and our local MLA, Lisa Baker with funding from the State Government’s Local Projects Local Jobs initiative the report assesses the built form “environment” of Beaufort Street and the adjacent laneways and how they impact upon individuals safety and what could be done to improve it. Prepared by Curtin Universities Dr Paul Cozens and Dr Courtney Babb, the report will be invaluable for Inglewood on Beaufort and everyone in our local area as it gives us evidence based insights that will support future grants or appeals in the future months and years to come.

On 3 December Chair, Damien Giudici and local MLA, Lisa Baker officially launched the CPTED report at the Inglewood Town Square, where the report was handed over to the City of Stirling and it is officially available for all to read right here: CPTED Beaufort Street Survey

Damien had this to say about the new report and launch:

“We’ve seen the benefits of the CPTED report in Maylands in identifying community perceptions of their neighbourhood and it provides an evidence base upon which to respond.  As such we were convinced commissioning a similar report would benefit Inglewood.

While Inglewood’s crime statistics are pretty average in a metropolitan context, with a CPTED report in hand we’re more confident of where to invest our time and resources into the public realm.

The launch is just a way to announce the document has gone public. It’s now available on the website for the community to read and with the formal handing over of copies to the City of Stirling we hope to see them become collaborators in resolving some of the safety issues identified in the report.”

If you took part in the survey, or simply want to find out what the results are then please read it.

To read more about the hand over to the City of Stirling, click here.