Astoria General Store, Port Fairy
Who’s behind the business?
Astoria General Store was founded by Caity and Tigh, collectors, creatives and lovers of nostalgia with a passion for unique objects and design.
Tigh grew up in Port Fairy and Caity is from nearby Warrnambool. Before returning to the coast, the pair spent time living in Melbourne and Canada, where they were heavily inspired by the classic North American general store experience — spaces where you could wander through food, homewares, pottery, records and unexpected treasures all under one roof.
That idea became the foundation for Astoria General Store: a modern take on the traditional general store, blending vintage finds, provisions, giftware and locally inspired design.
Tell us about your business journey?
The dream had been building for years. Collecting was always part of their lifestyle — whether it was digging through Melbourne flea markets, vintage stores, op shops, antique markets in Daylesford and Castlemaine, or finding hidden gems on road trips and travels.
Eventually, the collection became something bigger: a vision for a space where they could share the things they loved with others.
After moving back to Port Fairy, the opportunity for the shop came up unexpectedly — and just four weeks later, the doors were open for the Easter weekend 2026.
What products do you offer?
Astoria General Store specialises in vintage and collectible pieces, with a carefully curated mix of:
Vintage homewares and décor
Vinyl records and physical media
Ceramics and collectible pieces
Japanese and Asian-inspired pantry goods
Local food products and provisions
Giftware, art and quirky merchandise
The store also reflects Tigh creative background in graphic design, giving him a new outlet to creative original merchandise and products inspired by local history - watch this space!
What’s your “why”?
At its heart, the business comes from a love of collecting and sharing.
“We love the nostalgia these objects bring. People walk into the store and instantly start telling stories — ‘my mum had that’ or ‘we used to have one of those growing up.’ That connection and excitement is what we love most.”
For Tigh and Caity, the store is about more than objects — it’s about memories, emotion and rediscovering things that feel familiar and meaningful.
What’s the best business advice you’ve received?
“Just go for it.”
While planning is important, Tigh and Caity believe there’s a point where you simply have to take the leap.
“It’s not until you take that big step that things really start happening.”
The pair is lucky enough to be surrounded by people who have taken the leap like Caity’s family who have run many business and Tigh’s brother and sister-in-law, that support network gave them the confidence to take the leap.
Find them at:
24 Sackville St, Port Fairy
Instagram @astoriageneralstore