Shop Local at Cabana
1 April 2020
Meet Liliana from Cabana
Shop local at Cabana and support your Sanctuary Cove community. The store is filled with gifts, accessories and fashion wear, many from local and bespoke artisans. Since launching the stunning and unique Cabana boutique in November 2017, owner Liliana is thrilled with the genuine and excited buzz amongst her clientele.
For years her dream was to create an experience where clients feel they have stepped into a soothing oasis touching all the senses, where they are truly welcome to explore. We sat down with Liliana to chat about how she came to be in the retail scene, her favourite items in store and what community means to her.
Liliana (centre) hosting a Cabana VIP Event
What has been your journey to opening Cabana?
I’m a Hope Island local and frequent The Village regularly and I always loved the feel of this place. The previous owner had the store for sale, so I approached them to buy it and I made the purchase in 2017. It started out as just me, and over the past few years I’ve acquired two staff who are wonderful and really treat the business like their own, I am very lucky.
How has the business changed since first taking over?
I have completely revamped the store entirely from it’s previous look to a more fresh, Caribbean and coastal look. I’m originally from the Caribbean and it’s a place I hold very dearly to me, hence the name Cabana. I introduced all new stock which is very fitting with the Sanctuary Cove and Gold Coast lifestyle, fresh, relaxed and unique. The locals who shop here have loved the new offering and the feedback has been wonderful since opening Cabana.
How would you best describe the shopping experience at Cabana?
I have created a very relaxed feeling at Cabana, I want customers to walk in and feel an immediate sense of ease and for them to have a pleasurable shopping experience. It’s so easy for people to buy products online these days, so I think making the space a beautiful one entices people to visit the store.
My regular shoppers are mostly from the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and I do have a great following in Melbourne too which is great! These interstate shoppers pop into the store anytime they are on the Gold Coast and they also regularly purchase from me online, or more often than not, contact me about pieces I’ve featured on my Instagram feed.
What are you signature ranges at Cabana?
I stock lots of unique pieces at Cabana and one of my signature ranges is Uniqwa, which is gorgeous handmade furniture made right here on the Gold Coast. It has a beautiful relaxed, Caribbean type feel and can be added to any home for a fresh update. Another signature range is Coco Botanicals Luxe Scented Candles, another Gold Coast local and very popular with my shoppers. The scents are heavenly and their signature navy, white and gold packaging is very appealing.
You stock a lot of locally made products at Cabana, is that intentional?
Yes absolutely, 90% of my stock is Australian made and I think that is very important. A large portion of my stock is made here in Queensland and I love showcasing a wonderful array of products that are not only made here but are also wonderful quality. You can just tell a lot of love and care goes into making these items.
Is interior design and homewares a passion of yours?
Yes! I’ve always loved interiors and have formally studied both Interior Design as well as Architecture. My background is as a Sales Manager within travel with companies including Qantas and Intrepid, being bilingual enabled me to have a great career in this field, but my passion certainly lies in this interiors space. Being able to open my own store has been very rewarding and I love coming to work each day.
What are your favourite pieces that you stock in store?
I love everything! And it’s often a case of ‘one for me, one for the store’ approach. But if I must pick one favourite, it would be the Malawi chairs. They are gorgeous, handmade rattan style chairs and a lot of passion goes into making these. Each chair is different, they are not mass produced, and they are one of the most asked about items in the store, that is for sure.
Tell us more about what community means to you…..
Sanctuary Cove feels like one big family to me and it’s a wonderful community to be part of. It’s a very supportive environment and all of the retailers try and support each other in various ways as much as we can. I really wanted a store in a tight-knit village type feel, and I really couldn’t have asked for better than what we have here at Sanctuary Cove.
Quick 5
Coffee of tea? Coffee
Typical Breakfast? Pastry and a coffee
Early Riser or Night Owl? Early riser
Favourite holiday destination? Cartagena in Columba, my beautiful home town!
You’re Currently Reading? A collection of light-hearted books that are easy to read, and also a stack of homewares magazines are always on high rotation too.
Where to find Cabana
4c Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove
Phone: 07 5577 8762
Open Daily
Monday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm
Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm
It’s easy to find all your gifts and accessories at Cabana, shop local and support The Marine Village.
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