The opening of The Celebration Society
The opening of The Celebration Society in 2024 in the former Corbett hardware store in Menangle Street marked a revitalisation of retailing in part of the Picton town centre.
A new retail aesthetic replaced the rustic decay of the past in what Michael and Deborah (Deb) Quinn call ‘a renewed sense of vibrancy to the area’. (Kym Aldred 2025)
Picton locals Deborah and Michael Quinn saw the potential of the vacant hardware store and purchased it when it was put up for sale in mid-2024. With business partners Kym and Shane Aldred, they established the new business. (Kym Aldred 2025)
The adaptive re-use of the former store by The Celebration Society owners is an example of best practices in heritage conservation. They have reused the existing building fabric and maintained the historic integrity of the Menangle Street precinct. (UCEM 2024)
A local retail icon dies with its owner
The former K&V Corbett hardware store closed in 2010 with the death of Keith Corbett. It had been jointly owned by Keith and Valerie Corbett and closed when Keith died in April.
During the 14-year hiatus, the store’s rustic charm caught the eye of the movie industry. In 2012, it became the film set for Wolverine and was renamed “Faro Hardware.” (Marjo Hallowell and Marlane Fairfax, 2025).
In 2016, the store was inundated when Stonequarry Creek flooded the town centre, marking the highest flood event since 1860. (Wollondilly Shire Council, 2019)
There were grand plans in 2018 for a motel, microbrewery, restaurant, function centre, and shops that came to nothing when John Corbett, the son of the former owners, was killed in a plane crash. (Marjo Hallowell and Marlane Fairfax, 2025),
The Celebration Society
Kym Aldred notes that new business has evolved from earlier commercial activities.
The Celebration Society is the evolution of a business that Deb co-founded with her business partner, Kym, 18 years ago. What began as an online Christmas store, thechristmascart.com.au, expanded to include a second online store, giftsandkeepsakes.com.au. What makes their range particularly unique is the option of have your gifts personalised in their studio located at the rear of the store.
With their growth, Deb & Kym longed for a bricks and mortar store but wanted to have their online team and warehouse all under the one roof. When the property at Picton came on the market, just 8 minutes from Deb’s home, they were over the moon. With the property officially settling in May 2024 and their opening planned for September, they had just 20 weeks to sell off all the old hardware, refurbish the store, move their warehouse and set up their retail store. (Kym Aldred (2025)
Deb Quinn and Kym Aldred have identified a gap in the Picton retail scene, which reflects broader retail trends confirmed by news editor Zach Thompson of EcommerceNews Australia, who found
New research from SOTI has found 49% of Australian consumers prefer to shop with retailers offering an experience based on their personal preferences. (Zach Thompson 2023)
The owners of The Celebration Society have identified the wants and desires of their customers, which are reflected by broader retail trends. According to research, retail customers want an immersive, personalised shopping experience that prioritises customer engagement and satisfaction. (Andreea Porancea-Răulea (2024)
The Celebration Society offers a range of customer experiences, including establishing a creative hub for events, introducing a ‘Naughty Corner Café’, hosting workshops, curating seasonal experiences, showcasing pop-up stores, and organising outdoor events.
A vacant lot and outdoor events
Kym Aldred writes
In addition to the building, the property includes a 900m2 block of land next door, which Deb Quinn and Michael Quinn have now cleared and turfed and grandly call “On the Green at The Celebration Society”. In the short term, The Celebration Society will be utilising the space for events and night markets to support the drive to reinvigorate the night-time economy in Picton.
“We plan to hold themed events most months,” Deb said. “We have the next few months organised – and big plans for Mother’s Day and Christmas in July.” (Kym Aldred 2025)
Revitalisation of the Menangle Street precinct and adaptive re-use best practice
The Celebration Society’s reinvigoration of the Menangle Street precinct, along with the new Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre, has contributed to a renewed sense of place. The precinct dates back to the 19th century and boasts a distinct heritage flavour, featuring government buildings, schools, residential, and retail buildings.
History and heritage have not been ignored. WPAC opened in July 2024:
Designed by Williams Ross Architects, the Centre incorporates design elements inspired by the Lyrebird and Water Dragon totems of the Dharawal and Gundungurra Peoples…[catering for] events with seating for up to 300 people. (WPAC, 2025)
The foundation of The Celebration Society has added a dash of creativity and chic to the revival and revitalisation of the precinct. Through adaptive reuse, the owners of The Celebration Society have maintained the building’s materials, façade, integrity, and structure while making minimal renovations to modernise it. (UCEM 2024)
Conclusion
In conclusion, retailing in Picton has a long and diverse history, evolving from early general stores to a more contemporary mix of retail and services. The town’s retail landscape reflects its development as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural area, and recent growth as part of Sydney’s rural-urban fringe.
References
Marjo Hallowell and Marlane Fairfax (2025), 200 Picton. Southern Tablelands Arts. Goulburn. Online at https://www.southerntablelandsarts.com.au/200-picton/
Wollondilly Shire Council (2019), Investigating Picton’s Flood History. Community News, Issue 10 Winter 2019. Online at https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/assets/Uploads/Community-News-Winter-2019-Web.pdf
Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre. (2025). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.wollondillypac.com.au/about/about-us/ [Accessed 23 Apr. 2025].
Kym Aldred (2025), The Celebration Society. Typescript. Picton.
Zach Thompson (2023). New report finds 49% of Aussies prefer personalised shopping. EcommerceNews Australia, 18 January. Online at https://ecommercenews.com.au/story/new-report-finds-49-of-aussies-prefer-personalised-shopping
Andreea Porancea-Răulea (2024) ‘Improving Customer Satisfaction In The Immersive Experiences Era’. Land Forces Academy Review Vol. XXIX, No. 4(116), 2024
UCEM 2024, What is adaptive reuse (and why is it important)? University College of Estate Management, Reading, UK, 1 May.
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