Not designed to give Leichhardt Marketplace (formerly Leichhardt Marketown) on nearby Marion Street…read morea run for its money, although Norton Plaza is a cute shopping centre in itself with great establishments. It is convenient that there is a post office here, as well as a massive Coles supermarket. It is small and is designed as a great get in and get out type of establishment. Sorry, not the type of establishment to make a day out of it clothes shopping. Leichhardt Marketplace is slightly better suited for this purpose, although Broadway would be better for that. A great place to buy those necessities, as well as a great vitamin store and butchery. Also their cafe right near Coles is great for a long lunch and a quality coffee if you need an immediate pit stop, and perhaps you wish to give outside Norton Street and the Italian Forum a bit of a breather. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare here, depending on when you come so it can be a little like a lucky dip; although if you have to you can always park at the nearby Italian Forum. Simple is something that is best for those busy professionals who want to get in and get out as quickly as possible. Not the type of shopping centre for socialising and entertainment.

I've always considered Norton Plaza to be the main shopping centre of Leichhardt, it's location,…read moresituated on the largest run of shops, cafe's and restaurants gives it an air of supremacy above the nearby centre, Leichhardt Marketplace. Many consider it the other way round, and they would be amazed to hear that I felt this way. But I guess I've always just gone to this centre for my shopping needs. Sure it has less in the way of boutique shops and there's only one main supermarket/department store in it compared to Marketplace's three, but who wants to go to a massive shopping centre when all you need are a few things from Coles? Norton Plaza comes equipped with everything you could hope to need from a shopping centre; a chemist, seafood, a butcher, clothes shops, fruit shops, cafes, it even has it's a pub upstairs. It may not be as grandiose as some shopping centres, but sometimes the last thing you want is grandiose and with two hours free parking, a quick trip to Norton Plaza trumps a long shopping day anywhere else.

Honestly, there really isn't all that much that I can say about this shopping centre, unless you…read morehappen to be one of the lucky people that live nearby which means that you can pretty much get most of the basic supplies that you want from here. Yeah, this mall is pretty much a rather small and unassuming mall that really only caters for people that don't have anything better within either a short walk, or a short drive. Mind you, it is close to the station, so that helps, but honestly, not really all that much though.

Worst mall in sydney. Escalator forever broken and only then works for a few months before…read morebreaking again. Constant leaky building when raining. No cinema, no mini hardware store as Bunnings too far without car. Better food needed at mall eg that sushi tastes like cardboard. Ridiculous greek shop with overpriced chess boards of $750 upwards and outdated bric a brac in a blue collar district. We arent Paddington so why put an overpriced useless store for average aussies in a substandard mall that doesnt have the building structure to install another level. Who organizes oversaturation of certain items vs undersupply of needed items. The best store in there is kmart but even they sabotaged themselves when they moved the cashiers spot in the middle of the store instead of the exit where it used to be. I'm not asking it to be as creative as bankstown rsl with its decked out rainforest but something thats reasonable.

It's convenient it's inexpensive and it's fairly close to me…read more Don't expect any big name brands but if you are shopping for food and everyday items it's good, the food court is also pretty good. Thumbs up

A relatively inexpensive shopping centre in the Inner West, containing a few of the bigger chain…read morestores (Kmart, Woolworths, Aldi, Liquorland, McDonalds, Dick Smith etc) and plenty of smaller stores too. Definitely hard to get to by public transport, your only options are essentially buses to Bondi Junction or buses to the city. Quite a large carpark, parking is free (limited to 2 hours undercover) - with plans to redevelop and expand the shopping centre upwards - with hopefully some larger chains to open up.

A beautiful but noisy oasis right in Norton Street Leichhardt, just off Parramatta Road. You would…read morebe forgiven for thinking that you are in Italy, considering the architecture and the Italian food, restaurants and ambience. Not an ideal location for a library, even though that is a great thing. Things are meant to be designed this way, and on purpose and within good reason too. Combine the natural noise of this open playground with visitors, and aircraft noise (as Leichhardt is along the flight path) means not a great locale for many residents living here. It is beautiful in the evenings and late at night, and also on a beautiful warm day weather wise. The statues are great, and the abundance of walking space is divine. Not a huge fan of retail shopping here; only for eating out and occasionally going to the library. The great coffee and gelato on offer can be a pleasant distraction to those studious types. Nothing much has changed except for the sculptures, and is great local flavour for anyone living in the Inner West, not just for those of you living in Leichhardt. Definitely well designed, and a great place to socialise as opposed to unwind.

With its multitude of restaurants and cultural events, the local Library, various retail stores…read moreincluding an expensive but utterly beautiful Masks of Venice store and Leichhardt living, all rolled into one location, the Italian Forum is the place to go when you want to head out somewhere with a bit of atmosphere an variety. Shaped like some kind of colosseum, or a forum would probably be more accurate, the Italian Forum is a hotspot for night time activity with its many restaurants and gelatiers. Occasionally plays are performed in the Cultural Offices to make use of the large amphitheatre space and art works are displayed in throughout the stoned area. The Forum is only two or three doors down from Norton Plaza so many people park in the Plaza Car Park and then walk briskly or at whatever pace is suitable for the occasion and the individual to the forum. The only thing the forum is missing is a night club or bar for getting drinks at, though chances are if they did it would be tacky and ruin the atmosphere of what is a very family friendly place, so it's probably a good idea that they didn't. Phew that was a close call, I almost ruined a Leichhardt Landmark with my ill thought about notions.

Anna the manager and Nilam helped me out in a very professional way…read more I highly recommend COLES on Norton Street

It's not much what you can say about this Coles other than it's of average size with a good variety…read moreof products. The opening hours and the free parking spots are great.

This is by far the most expensive vintage store I've been to in the inner west. Whilst vintage…read morestores are some what renowned for selling second hand clothes at hiked up prices, Eva's Vintage treats their clothes like prized antiques, with prices reaching up to $400 per dress (average $150). Granted, much of this vintage stock is designer and some of it is quite beautiful. Occasionally the staff here are willing to bring the prices down too, although even at Eva's discounted rate many of these dresses are priced far higher than I'm prepared to pay for second hand clothing. They used to have a Leichhardt contingent which sold the nicer of their dresses at far cheaper prices (I never really understood this) but now it seems that the two have merged into the one over priced shop. Come here for a nice glomesh purse - that is, after you've already checked Glebe and Rozelle markets.

As an Annandale resident for 25 years, Eva's Vintage has become one of my favourite haunts. My…read morewardrobe is well stocked with designer articles bought at Eva's - new and used, many from this shop's $10 and $20 racks. Because new stock comes in every week, along with regular sales on already inexpensively priced clothing, Eva's Vintage beckons you back time and time again. Staff are warm and friendly and the shop is both beautifully laid out and spotlessly clean. Thoughtful touches in the spacious dressing room such as heating in winter and cooling in summer make trying on clothes pleasant and fun. Bags, shoes, fabulous clothes, and accessories - this store is a local gem.

Disappointed with the out of date vouchers for towels with purchase. Thought it was a good…read moreopportunity to purchase at the store. But was left hanging. Nice lady staff person, but not a place I'd come back to shop. Store was a little cramped and products seemed a little dated. Certainly doesn't merit 5 star rating but it's ok.

If you've just moved to Sydney, just moved house or your bath towels are embarrassingly…read morethread-bare, your first stop should be the Manchester Factory. With a second outlet on Botany Road in Alexandria, you'll find this one opposite the medical practice on Marrickville Road. This is one of those shops that literally has specials going ALL the time. In fact, there's a permanent sign outside that spruiks "massive discounts on sheet sets and bath towels". Pretty sure it's bolted to the wall, so that's not going to change any time soon. They've got pillows, cushions, blankets, tablecloths, bath towels and heaps more. There's a wide range of options in each category too, like sheet sets with thread counts from 250 to 2000, and pillows from polyester to duck down. If you're a sucker for labels, you'll find Tontine, Linen House, Ardor and way more.

Berkelouw is a beautiful book shop, worthy of extended browsing and buying. The second hand…read moresection upstairs is easy to loose yourself in and the ground level of the shop pleases with crisp fresh pages of coffee-table books, paperbacks, kids books and an exciting range of stationary and tid-bits. The wine bar upstairs is also quite nice and is a fantastic place to relax with friends or alone, with a good book and a glass of red. Sadly, the downstairs roadside cafe is not as great as Berkelouw's other elements. Despite the perfect location, directly opposite the Norton Plaza and in the heart of Leichhardt, Berkelouw's cafe prices are quite expensive and, what's more, the prices are not indicative of the standard of the meals, with the food and coffee being of poor quality. If you're after a good location in Leichhardt then you've got it here. If you're after a good book or a great gift, then you've got it here too. If you're after a great breakfast with value for money then there are plenty of good options in your surrounding suburbs.

I enjoy going to bookshops and often buy many books to support the business rather than shop…read moreonline. However, I will no longer be supporting Berlalouw books at Leichardt. The staff are rude and unfriendly and make you feel unwelcome. Bad service, service with an ATTITUDE.

Beware this guy ripped us off !! Julian Simmons stole and damaged pristine vintage gear because he…read moredidn't know what he was doing; actually smashed / threw 60yr old gear out into the street leaving us to pickup the pieces and because he couldn't handle he was rude / abusive. We're taking things to Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs with video / pictures to prove it ... watch-out for this guy folks !

From the owner: permanently closedread more