Food outlets rule as Wheels & Doll Baby says goodbye to Surry Hills

One of Sydney’s most exciting and iconic retailers has bid farewell to the once thriving fashion destination of Surry Hills as the suburb continues its transformation to a food destination. 

Gunning leasing agents, Anthony Tsapicounis and Alberto Da Grava said the iconic retailer Wheels & Doll Baby called it quits after 30 years in the prominent location of 259 Crown Street, Surry Hills.

“A combination of factors has contributed to the change in focus for the area,” they said. 

“Surry Hills has seen a shift from what once was a working class industrial suburb, into a technology and media hub, with specialist food precincts attracting a diverse mix of people.

“The gentrification of the inner city has changed consumers needs and wants. Fashion retailers and in particular the on-street boutique retailers have been severely impacted by the rise of online shopping as well as the renovation of Pitt Street Mall and Bondi Junction. 

“A new 5 x 5 lease to a superfood café chain at a gross rental of $1,000 sqm at 259 Crown Street, Surry Hills cements this trend,” they said.