Meet Jacki, Sarah and Tiff – the heart behind Abicus, ahead of the iconic Darby Street store’s 26th birthday sale
After 26 years in the biz, Abicus has rightly earned its place on Newcastle’s iconic retail destinations list. A must-visit for anyone who wants an instant hit of timeless fashion and music, Abicus is the brainchild of locals Tiffany Minell and Tim Mcphee who opened the doors to their Darby Street store way back in 2000.
Watching the city evolve and change around it, Abicus has stayed true to its original vision of offering classic and enduring fashion and music and that’s why they remain a firm favourite for Newy shoppers and visiting customers alike.
A powerhouse local team
Building on years of expertise as retail industry innovators, Abicus prides itself on a strong and intrinsically local team with decades of collective knowledge.
Adding even more know-how to the crew in team leader Sarah and head fashion buyer Jacki, both Newy locals at the top of the retail game, means you’ll always get that perfectly curated Abicus experience from the minute you walk into the store or jump on the website.
“In Newcastle, you don't often have the opportunity to grow a business to a point where you can employ specialists like Sarah and Jacki in different roles,” says Tiff.
“It lets Tim and I work more on the back of house side of the business instead of always being in it. It’s been amazing to have such a strong team around us that genuinely cares so much about Abicus and it makes us excited about this next chapter.”
Both with years of niche experience running their own fashion businesses, Sarah and Jacki have been long-time Abicus fans and are now integral to the daily running of the store.
“I studied fashion and ran my own label based in Newcastle, then worked in and later owned Betty Mim store on Darby Street for over a decade,” says Sarah. “When I closed the business in 2020, I jumped at the chance to work with Tim and Tiff because I’ve been an Abicus shopper since day one! I love fashion, I love retail, and I genuinely love working with customers, so it felt like the most natural fit for me.’
Jacki has a background in wholesale working with brands like Tigerlily and Billabong and like Sarah, owned her own Newcastle-based fashion store, Pink Metal.
“Both Sarah and I understand what running a small business is like and how it’s not a 9-5 job,” says Jacki. “I was working as a buyer for Sanbah for over a decade and I’ve known Tiff and Tim socially for over 20 years. One day Tiff said she’d love a bit of break and I needed a change, so I jumped on board and I absolutely love it.”
More than retail therapy
Working with some of Australia’s most inspiring and prolific designers, musicians, and artists, Abicus is far more than just a place to grab a new pair of jeans. But you can certainly do that too.
“We want people to have a great experience from the minute they walk in and to enjoy being in such a creative and unique space where the music is carefully chosen and everything contributes to the experience,” says Jacki.
Tiff adds, “If the customer leaves with something they genuinely love then we know it’s going to end up as a wardrobe staple and if they don’t buy anything, but have had a great conversation, discovered a local cafe, or received a recommendation while visiting Newcastle, then we consider that a win.”
Sarah says it’s a collaborative experience both shopping and working at Abicus. “We want customers to feel like they've spent time somewhere special and we’ve all got different strengths that we bring to the table that makes shopping in-store or online a really personal thing,” says Sarah.
Working with a like-minded and passionate crew also adds to the vibe of what makes Abicus so unique. “Everyone looks out for each other. We all check in and support each other and it’s genuinely a really lovely environment to be a part of,” says Sarah.
Tiff says she’s proud of the legacy that Abicus has built after years on Darby Street and with Sarah and Jacki adding their expertise to the store’s already overflowing creative team, the future of Abicus is in good hands.
“We’re lucky that Abicus is very much a part of the broader Newcastle experience,” says Tiff. “Now with the updated Newcastle Art Gallery being this incredible cultural anchor for the city, we’re seeing more people than ever wandering down Darby Street and if our dedicated team can help them find something special to take home, then that’s a bonus.”
Top staff picks
Abicus is well-known for its classic and timeless approach to stocking fashion pieces, eyewear, jewellery, footwear, and music that stands the test of time. “We care about how things are made. We care about quality,” says Tiff.
“We also care whether an item will still be in someone's wardrobe ten years from now. We also know that people have different tastes so we’re lucky to have Sarah and Jacki who bring a diverse mix to the store. Sarah is our Stevie Nicks and Jacki our Patti Smith! ”
We couldn’t help but ask Sarah and Jacki, who work with the goods day in and day out, what Abicus brands they love best.
Sarah: “For me it's definitely Spell. That's my go-to. And I love Kinga Csilla. Their t-shirts are amazing. I also love Blundstones and Temple of the Sun jewellery.”
Jacki: “I'm more into Nudie Jeans Co and core basics like t-shirts from Assembly Label. I also love the jewellery side of things including local brand A.ard.”
Abicus turns 26
Whether you’ve grown up with Abicus as the only place to visit for the best brands and vinyl picks, or if you’re new to the Abicus experience, the dedicated team behind the store bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to one of Newcastle’s longest standing retail spaces.
“We’re so proud of our team,” says Tiff. “After spending 26 years on Darby Street where we’ve seen everything from floods, construction works, economic shifts, moving/opening and closing stores and Covid, we've had to rebuild and adapt more times than I can count. It’s incredible to have such great people around Tim and I who love Abicus like it’s their own. It makes the store just keep getting better with age!.”
Hit the birthday sale
20% off everything sale at Abicus!
When: Wednesday 21st October - Sunday 25th October, 2026
Where: 103 Darby St, Cooks Hill NSW or online at Abicus
What: Shop all the best brands like Birkenstock, Blundstone, Assembly Label, Nudie Jeans, The Horse, Rollas and so much more at 20% off.
Written by: Odette Tonkin
Photo credit: Justin Aaron
