it’s Steph
it’s Steph… the heart & soul of what has become an institution in our Port … Red Lime Shack!!
After seeing a vacant quirky little space on St Vincent Street way back in 2012, Steph who at the time was looking to set up a business, knew she had come across something pretty special. Steph had a vision and within an hour after a meeting with the owner, she had packed her belongings & moved in. She recalls, “I remember thinking, i’ve just found the best place on earth.”
Before the Red Lime Shack doors could open, Steph was working around the clock for 6 weeks straight. She recalls, “when I started the reno the community got very involved.”
What was so special in the early days was how local strangers got behind Steph to help her dream become a reality. Steph remembers, “it was a time of much serendipity!”
We are a pretty fortunate bunch down our way & our Port is really unique, it’s like no other place, Steph adds, “You have to be real, that’s what I love most about Port Adelaide – the raw honesty.” Steph is really grateful for every person that has made the Shack home, “everyone has been staunchly loyal from the beginning” she lets us know.
itsPortAdelaide has been along on the Shack journey & remembers day one, the ‘Grand Opening’… the belly dancers, the food, the vibe, the connection… it was something that couldn’t be manufactured, it was a space like no other & it just worked. Red Lime Shack has evolved over the years & is today a place for everyone to come together, it’s way more than a place to grab a feed & a drink… it’s a place were we all matter, we all have a voice & we all belong.
The exciting news is Steph is ready to embark on a new adventure & it’s time to hand Red Lime Shack over to more than capable hands. Steph has found the perfect person to carry on business as usual & to make the Shack even better… it’s ‘Jo’ … a lot of you already know her & if you don’t, you soon will.
So to send Steph off in true Port Adelaide style, you’re all invited to one huge party at Red Lime Shack on Friday 2nd of August, from 5pm - 9pm. The night will include free drinks & nibbles 5pm - 6pm & joining the party will be an ‘itsPortAdelaide photographic exhibition, ‘In Black & White’ & a live performance by Wendy Dys ‘Gentleman Jack’ @ 7.30pm. A Licensed Bar & Burgers will be available from 6pm - 9pm… all at Red Lime Shack - 158 St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide.
If you want to keep up with Steph’s next venture you can find her on Instagram @offthegrind_oz. Here is a sneak peek from her journey to now..
“Progress is linear. When I elevate myself above how I have lived I am drawn to significant moments that now make complete sense. They are like small peaks. The valleys between glow extraordinarily, revealing something I could never see before.
I have previously used time as a ‘Shack’le. In business it makes sense to be efficient. The profit paradigm is based on producing a good or service as fast as possible at the lowest cost. I subscribed to that model in an attempt to live ‘appropriately’ whilst harbouring a huge knot in my belly.
I know I am not alone as I observe others also wading through their knots suffering ailments such as anxiety, addiction and depression.
In very basic terms, current societal structures rely on governments to rule and businesses to employ so as to hold large groups in a way that encourages emotional laziness. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I have relied upon this model for most of my life, but always the knot remained.
In order to untie the knot, I have had to release the final ‘Shack’le’. Now I progress toward a life that allows me to live freely: I don’t have to be anywhere. I am not responsible yet I am not irresponsible. I am not bound. I have no real routine. I have no expectations on others. My community is with me. And I will continue to contribute.
I am open to new. I use my time to connect. I use my time to explore. I know everything is going to work out because I trust myself and I am driven by how I want to feel. I don’t know where I am going physically, but I know where I am going emotionally. That is to carve a life off the daily grind and make for happy adventures! Come with me and my exploring food truck around Australia to hear how I do it @offthegrind_oz on Instagram. More socials to come.
One last bit..
“Be. Do. Have. Give.” This came to me over a decade ago. It is one of those peak moments I spoke of. And now I can finally live it completely.
BE yourself
DO it your way
HAVE enough
GIVE it all.
Interpret it as you will. You can even swap the first word on each mantra to fit with any of the other lines.
Bye for now xx.” — at Red Lime Shack.