“Just a little family thing that we like to do.”
That’s how Christen Holzl modestly describes a thriving family business known as Magnolia Home & Gift.
The homewares store started with Christen’s mum about 16 years ago in Inverell. Since then her sister has opened a Magnolia in Sydney, her aunty has one in Gosford, and now Christen is adding to the family portfolio with a new store on Ruthven Street.
The Toowoomba version has been opened for a couple of months now and Christen says the response has been great so far.
“It’s been really amazing, we’ve had beautiful feedback from everyone,” she says. “We’ve made it a relaxing place to walk into to find a gift.
“We sell everything from clothing to kitchen. I know it sounds like a weird mix but we’re like this mini department store, where if you fossick around enough you can find something. From bags and clothing to wedding gift to a beautiful cake of soap, there’s something for everyone. And we gift wrap!”
Slow browsing is the key here, as Christen says, there’s lots on offer and lots to look at. There’s a wall for baby gifts, a shelf of New Farm Confectionery, Elk fashion, and all styles of homewares, from boho to French country.
Christen says this eclectic mix is a Magnolia signature – a family trait for style which she says starts with her mum.
“It’s just in her DNA,” she says. “She doesn’t actually work in her store anymore, she does all the buying. I trust in my mum and her expertise and my aunty and my sister have all been in business for over 10 years with their Magnolias. We bounce off each other and we do orders for each other if we find something good. It’s really nice being in that group of women who love each other and care about their businesses.
“All my daughters work for me. It’s good for them, and maybe one day one of them might want to open a Magnolia somewhere.
“It’s just a little family thing that we like to do together.”
Christen (right) with her daughter Mia
With the change of season you can expect even more in store, with Christen telling us she’s ordered up big for Spring. New cushions, furniture, bedspreads, lamps, frames and more are on their way. Expect palm prints, lots of cane, splashes of texture, colour and statement pieces.
Christen’s current fave item in store is the super glam, kind-of-Gatsby velvet green lounge.
“I just love the colour, it’s really fresh,” she says. “Everyone comments on it when they come in.”
If you want to find something super unique Christen is happy to source and do a special order for you. Otherwise, browse the floor of Magnolia at your leisure from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. As Christmas gets nearer look out for extended trading hours – they’ll be open 7 days and late nights so you can find the perfect gift.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram and find them in real life at 487-489 Ruthven Street, between The Finch and Ground Up.
