With the arrival of the final round of 26 shipping containers – that all house local independent makers and retailers – Melbourne’s newest laneway is complete. Strung with festoon lights and splashily painted, String Bean Alley at the Queen Victoria Market (where green beans were sold once upon a time) is a dangerous proposition for your bank balance.

Here you can have truffles made to order by Yarra Valley cocoa-smiths, taste hemp oil or add locally made crystal adornments to your collection of jewels. There are also vintage slides, organic aromatherapeutic beauty and avocado knit socks to possess.

Does someone in your life need a lucha libre (mexican wrestling) mask, a macro photograph of their iris, a vase for practising ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) or a tiny nautical replica? You can find it all here.

And most importantly – there’s good coffee at both ends.

/ Stroll String Bean Alley at the Queen Vic Market.