Special Branch brings flowers and coffee to Marburg

When Emily Birnie stopped travelling the world after 17 years as a Qantas long-haul flight attendant she knew where she wanted to put down roots – her little hometown of Marburg was calling.

It’s there that her father, Les, has run Scotland Yard Antiques for more than 25 years. And where brother Athol specialises in heritage restorations. Emily has added her own charming element to the town’s main street, opening the doors to Special Branch Collective – a retail space offering plants and garden décor – and coffee.  She’s sourcing beans from Ipswich roaster Dancing Bean, and plans to add some food to the mix in coming weeks.

The plants Emily stocks are supplied by another family member – sister Lucy and her husband, horticulturalist Sam Plant. Their Green Cloud Nursery supplies potted colour and shrubs around Queensland.

The big Special Branch Collective sign behind the counter here seems to say it all – a wreath of green garden hose and gum nuts that sends out a quirky Aussie country welcome. The space is beautifully curated – Emily said some of her favourite shops in Paris and London inspired her vision.