Millions of words. The smell of ink and leather-bound journals. The romantic sounds of French jazz. Exquisite stationery. Thoughtful gifts. Vintage typewriters. And wonderful conversation.
Wolf & Second Star is not a shop; it’s an experience. It evokes wonder, nostalgia and a comforting sense of calm. Owner Natasha Freeman’s grandmother, after whom the shop is named, would have been proud.
Natasha never knew Grandma Wolf, but in choosing the shop’s name, she honours the legacy of love and strength that comes from her matriarchal line. “My mum raised my brother and I in very challenging circumstances as a single mother. She walked with such integrity, grace and love through everything,” Natasha says.
“Second Star represents a celebration of writing and words. The phrase originally comes from Peter Pan, which is a nod to literature and really, the roots of storytelling that walk us through life.”
Natasha has always loved words. “From the time I was very small, I loved reading. My mum was a janitor at our school and we were very poor. Often, we survived a school year on what other kids had left behind, school supplies collected by my mum and put into an old bread bag.”
When Natasha was aged eight, she was helping her mum clean all the lockers and came across a blue book. “I opened the book and saw it was full of words. I had never seen a thesaurus before and I loved it!”
Natasha’s mum insisted that the book be handed in at the office, but when no one claimed it, it was given to her. “I still have it. The words were magical and brought life to my life. Words are so important because to learn how to communicate effectively and say what you mean is the greatest task of a writer.”
So how did Canadian-born Natasha come to open a boutique book and stationery shop in Peregian Beach? It’s been an adventurous journey, starting with backpacking the east coast of Australia with her “bestie” before meeting her South African-born husband, Jonathan, in Noosa. They lived in New Zealand and South Africa before settling in Peregian Springs with their two sons and opening Wolf & Second Star in May 2024.
In between, Natasha has attained university degrees, written books – both fiction and non-fiction – been nominated for a literary award and had one of her books named a ‘Book to Read’ for Human Rights Day in South Africa. She also had one of her books on Rhodes University’s curriculum for more than 10 years.
“I had the idea for the shop around 15 years ago, but it just wasn’t the right time,” Natasha says.
“It was the seedling of an idea, based on my work, my life and my experience, and what I would like to bring to my community as well as to writers and to readers. I wanted to create an experience in literature and words and writing.”
With 25 years of experience as a writer, Natasha also hosts workshops for writers. They book out quickly. “More people write than you think,” she says. “It’s like a heart smile when someone comes in and I can see they are a writer by the way they brush their hand over one of the writing books.
“And to just be able to say, I encourage you. You have a home here.”
Sunday Letters is another popular initiative at the shop. “Come and write a letter or card at the shop. We put out extra tables, take the French jazz outside and have our neuroscience drinks on offer,” Natasha explains. “We have a little post box, stamps and stationery. What’s wonderful is the response it evokes in people of all ages.”
Natasha set out to create a shop that was not a ‘cut and paste’ of any other. “I think our point of difference is the soul of the shop. We have a strong section about the craft of writing. We create our own card and stationery lines and even stubby holders with a literary feel. Anything we have in here is useful as well as beautiful,” she says.
As I reluctantly say farewell to Natasha and take another lingering look around Wolf & Second Star, I notice a quote by Shakespeare at the entrance to the shop: “I like this place and could willingly waste time in it”. How apt!