Case Study: Mumbleberry
Opening your dream store in a premium CBD development sounds amazing… until you start looking at the fine print.
When Lucy—owner of Mumbleberry, a beautifully curated store of artisanal and small-batch produce—was considering a tenancy at Mirvac’s prestigious 80 Ann Street building in Brisbane, she already had one shop under her belt. But this next step? It came with a few extra challenges. Think: corporate landlord, strict design guidelines, and budget blowout risks around every corner.
Challenge: Big landlord = big spend?
Not if you’ve got Setting Up Shop in your corner.
Lucy and I were introduced just as she was reviewing her lease terms with Mirvac. Perfect timing! Lease documents can be dense, and understanding the potential cost impacts of things like air-conditioning tweaks, sprinkler reworks, or flooring issues is critical—especially when you’re a small business owner without a bottomless fit-out budget.
What We Did
Negotiated Smarter
Before anything was signed, I helped Lucy understand her lease and suggested key inclusions she should ask Mirvac to handle. This made a real difference to her bottom line.
Designed Cleverly
Working with the team at Corner ID, we created a beautiful, cost-effective design. Two stunning bespoke joinery units gave the store the punch Lucy wanted, while allowing flexibility in the rest of her fit-out to keep things fresh and functional.
Tightened the Budget
We tendered the build (hello, robust pricing!) and brought on a builder who was a great fit for Mirvac’s high standards and detailed processes. Throughout the project, I kept a close eye on the numbers so we could make smart choices without compromising on style.
The Result
A gorgeous shop that punches well above its weight on design, functionality, and value for money.
What Lucy Had to Say
“One review will not do Karyn justice – she is efficient, knowledgeable, proactive and understanding.
Right from the beginning she advised me on the whole leasing and contract stages, helping me to get a better deal. During the build stage she dealt with everything for me, so I didn't have to chase anything and alleviated all the stress. Even after we were complete, Karyn helped fix the extra little things that came up.
I cannot recommend her enough, and will not attempt another without engaging her services from start to finish.
Karyn will save you money, pre-empt problems and have solutions before it happens, and deliver on time.”
— Lucy George, Owner, Mumbleberry
Opening a Shop in a Big Commercial Development?
You don’t have to do it alone—and you definitely don’t have to spend more than you should.
👉 Check out the Essential Property Brief to get the tools, checklists, and insider tips that helped Lucy (and heaps of others) open their dream store—with less stress and more success.
