Tasmania’s north west coast offers family, business, creativity and purpose for this born-and-bred Latrobe local.

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You grew up in Latrobe on Tasmania’s north west coast. What was your childhood like?

My parents started Reliquaire right around the time that I was born, so my childhood was chaotic, messy and really, really fun! I have very fond memories of helping mum and dad to renovate the shop and our family home, which was originally on the second floor of the same building. As the shop grew, it truly became a creative and visual extension of our family.

My parents naturally worked a lot, but they also loved quality family time. We often went camping together, visited family around the world, and travelled together to source unique and special products for the shop. We also did a lot of hiking locally, which made me really fall in love with Tassie.

Apart from a short stint in Hobart for my university studies, I’ve always been here on the north west coast. Part of me played with the idea of moving overseas, but the end goal was always to be here with my family, and involved in the business.

Earlier this year, your parents handed over ownership of Reliquaire to you and your husband, Luke. What plans do you have for its future?

We officially bought the business in October, and it’s been a very exciting and busy few months since then. We have some really fun ideas for the future, to make visiting Reliquaire an even more immersive and elevated shopping experience.

Luke and I have three boys, and watching them run around the shop as proud and excited as my sister and I were as kids is such a full-circle moment. It’s an honour that we get to see Reliquaire grow with us and our family.

Reliquaire founders Kim & Sylvie Christie, and new owners Lauren & Luke Vaessen (image: Kristy L)

How would you describe the Reliquaire experience?

A one- or two-description for Reliquaire doesn’t exist! I find describing the store one of the hardest things to do, because it’s so unique - you just have to expect the unexpected.

There’s a magic about Reliquaire, and it makes shopping here an enjoyable experience. We have gifts for everyone you can possibly imagine, niche nerdy things, and some really cool, trending brands that you can’t get anywhere else in Tasmania or even Australia. And our coffee bar serves up great drinks and sweet treats from local bakers.

One of the best things about my job is watching the range of emotions on someone’s face when they visit us for the first time. You see them go from “woahhhhh” to “what have I walked into?” to “is that a giant giraffe in the middle of the store?” to, finally, “am I still in a small town on the north west coast of Tasmania?!”.

Luke and Lauren Vaessen (image: Kristy L)

You have a keen interest in fashion and style. Where did that come from?

I’ve always been a very creative person, so fashion and style have been a natural extension of that for as long as I can remember. But I’ve had even more of an interest since losing and then finding myself again after having kids. I was really enjoying dressing my kids in cute outfits, and realised that I could dress myself that way, too! I’ve fallen back in love with fashion - it’s good for my mental health to have that creative outlet, and I’ve grown more confident with age with doing “me” and wearing fun outfits that I feel good in.

What are three must-dos for every visitor to north west Tasmania?

Obviously visit us at Reliquaire! But otherwise:

Get your toes sandy at Hawley Beach. It’s one of my favourite places in Tasmania, very underrated, and always makes me feel so lucky to call this place home.
Cradle Mountain is an obvious inclusion, but we do really love it and try to get up there once a year as a family. The kids love seeing all of the local wildlife, and the snow in winter.
Go to the Devonport Farmers Market for lots of great produce and yummy food.

Where are your favourite local haunts for eats and drinks?

Luke and I are massive foodies - we even got married at Timbre, our favourite restaurant in Legana.

More locally, we love a sneaky date night at Pam’s Bottles & Cups in Devonport for a spicy margarita or a great bottle of wine. The Eatery at Ghost Rock Wines does our favourite local lunch, and instantly transports you to Europe with those views over the vineyard. And I love Eastford Creek Vineyard for a girls catch-up over a seasonal platter and glass of wine.

How will you spend your first day off after the silly season?

I’d start with a sunny morning walk along the Devonport foreshore, and catch up with girlfriends for brunch. Then a quick house reset because it’s a disaster zone, before heading to Port Sorell for an afternoon at the beach with the boys, and back home for a family barbeque.

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Q&A: Lauren Vaessen