The House of Kalu Babu & Moon Breeze

by Susan J Bowes (subscribe)

Once a sleepy little country town, Esk on the Brisbane Valley Highway is now a sought-after destination on weekends where travellers, tourists and motorcyclists stop for a wander around the town, a look at the weekly country markets or enjoy a meal at one of the numerous eating houses.



Esk is approximately one hundred kilometres or an hour and a half drive from Brisbane, which will take you over Wivenhoe Dam and through the lush Somerset Region.



On a recent visit, I came across The House of Kalu Babu and Moon Breeze being run by proprietors Leisa Milne and Harry Gray. Both have been residents and business owners in Esk for many years and have an ardent desire for prosperity for the now thriving community.



The businesses are side by side in Esk Trading Post building in Ipswich Street yet sell entirely different merchandise but complement each other by the stock's diversity and quality of display.



I entered from Moon Breeze's gate into an open shop area filled with pots, garden ornaments, and the most magnificent elephant's head figurine that could provide you with many possibilities in your home. Harry told me that one had been bought as a pool feature, another as a garden feature; but the ideas for these grand structures are endless.



If you are, as my friend is, an avid wooden duck collector, there are oodles to choose from in a variety of designs and colours. The choice may be too hard to make, and you may need to come home with two or more. A broad range of wooden cat varieties is also available for purchase.



Macrame plant holders, swings and umbrellas are a popular choice and Moon Breeze can help you with an array of designs. If there is something you are looking for, yet not in the shop, ask Harry and he may be able to source it for you.


An entrance into The House of Kalu Babu can be found via Moon Breeze and on doing so I ventured into a very well-stocked shop with everything from pure Jade jewellery from Myanmar, Burma, silver and crystal rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, apparel including jumpers, scarves, dresses, pants and the like, leather handbags, embroidered Pouffe's, trinkets, artworks, exquisitely coloured hand-made glass lamps from Turkey, larger standing lamps, and gorgeous bronzed figures of Archangels and Egyptian deities and other ceramic statues. What caught my eye was a very tall bronze statue of Archangel Michael, which would make a definite statement in your home, and you would be the envy of all your friends.


The House of Kalu Babu's stock comes from all over the World from reputable suppliers and mostly direct from the people who make the items, for example Jade Jewellery from Burma (Myanmar). Although a few items may come from China, Leisa is enthusiastic about supporting countries like Indonesia, Turkey, India, Peru, Myanmar, parts of Asia and local Australian artisans. Leisa prides herself on selling excellent quality products to her customers.



Leisa said that her biggest turnover would be the clothing that she sells, and she carries only one of each size, so you will not see another person in your size wearing the same item.

It never ceases to amaze me that I find amazing shops selling exquisite items in small country towns! I would have to travel all over Brisbane to look for comparable items, yet here in Esk, this one-stop shop has so much stock and variety.



The House of Kalu Babu and Moon Breeze is open Thursday to Sunday from 9.00am to 3.00pm. For more information on their stock, please visit the Facebook or Instagram pages.

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Why? Gems Found in Country Town of Esk

When: Thursdays to Sundays

Phone: 0438 247 402 (Leisa) & 0430 062 178 (Harry)

Website: https://www.facebook.com/thehouseofkalubabu

Where: Esk

Cost: Individually Priced Items

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