The Design Files
Happy Valley is a design/art /book store that specialises in local design. ‘The concept I had in mind was a retail store with a gallery feel, where customers could enjoy the space and find a great gift, even for the hard to buy for’ says Chris. He was also very conscious of highlighting the fact that independent design can be practical and affordable. Chris deals with around 100 local makers direct to ensure a unique product range.
Broadsheet
Among the boutique stores and high-end restaurants along the once-shabby Smith Street sits Happy Valley - a slick design, art and bookstore founded by former Polyester Records and current Tramway Hotel owner Chris Crouch. He’s gutted and refurbished the space, a former travel book store, to let in a lot of natural light and allow for a newfound, inventive atmosphere.
Time Out Magazine
Melbourne’s Chris Crouch has made his mark on the city in more ways than one. He’s the former owner of Fitzroy North’s Tramway Hotel, cult shop Polyester Records and music label Candle Records. These days, he runs Happy Valley Shop: a collection of carefully selected books, vinyl records, art and gifts. You’d be hard-pressed to find some of these products elsewhere, which is always a good thing when it comes to choosing a gift. You can’t go wrong with the addictive Finnish log-tossing game Finska or a waxed perfume candle by New Zealand company Ashley and Co. What’s more, prices are very reasonable; an enamel Bill Murray pin will set you back just $20, while large art prints go for around $100.
99U
"More Than Bookstores, These Shops are Must-visit Meccas to the Printed Word"
This concept store in the heart of Melbourne’s thriving creative neighborhood caters to the design-minded with its impressive array of art books, modern homeware, and specially selected stationary. You might leave Happy Valley with a classic coffee-table-sized book on Australia’s contemporary gardens and a matching terrarium, or you might be more attracted to the latest Monocle guide and a sea-scented candle. Happy Valley is the ideal place to mix and match your books with your lifestyle.
Design Sponge
Happiness is certainly guaranteed for lovers of beautiful books and magazines at this well designed bookshop in the heart of Collingwood. Lovers of print will be content to browse through the well curated selection of the latest novels, nice design books and independent travel guides. Along with a small collection of home wares and locally designed bits and pieces, those looking for a present or a tasteful souvenir of Melbourne are unlikely to leave empty-handed.
Concrete Playground
Happy Valley is appropriately named. Sitting quietly amidst the grubby hustle of Smith Street, this semi-bookshop, semi-homewares store, diverse world of curio is guaranteed to make you smile. Run by Chris Crouch, ex-owner of Polyester Records, Happy Valley is full of hand-chosen items from local designers and makers. We’re talking terrariums, quality leather goods, candles, wall art, magazines and ceramics of sad little lions — all of the things you don’t really need, but definitely want.
Urban Walkabout
Chris Crouch is no stranger to retail, having owned Fitzroy’s Polyester Records for ten years from 1999, but his new outlet, Happy Valley, is quite a different kettle of fish. It’s like a gallery of eclectic gifts, designer homewares, books and art prints, and all of it has been personally curated by Crouch himself.
Daily Addict
Tucked in near Gorski & Jones and Saint Crispin on Smith Street, Happy Valley, the newest venture from Chris Crouch is a place for discovery, a happy place where you can find and enjoy things you might not be able to find elsewhere.
The Urban List
Need a present for the friend who’s got everything? Or even a ‘just because’ gift for yourself? Then Happy Valley is for you. The store is a veritable treasure trove, with owner Chris Crouch stocking everything from ceramics and art, to books and gifts. Supporting a variety of local artists as well as brands from around the world, Happy Valley is perfect for both a planned purchase and the cheeky impulse buy.
Broadsheet
Happy Valley is the kind of store you walk into and wish you owned everything in there – books, homewares, accessories, design-type gifts. Owner Chris Crouch is the former owner of Polyester Records and the Tramway Hotel in Fitzroy North. "Over the years I've had so many ask when we were stocking vinyl,” says Crouch. “At Christmas time I had trouble finding indie classics that I would want to buy, so I thought there must be plenty of other people chasing new albums, locally.”
Lonely Planet
It’s difficult to pigeonhole Happy Valley: it’s an art store, bookshop and gallery of wonderful things you didn’t realise you needed, from laugh-out-loud cards to beautiful jewellery and locally designed homewares. The well-curated range of books includes hardback art titles and a great selection of cookbooks from some of the city's top restaurants and chefs.
