They want more greenery along the lanes rather than graffiti and overflowing skip bins, a fresh point of difference with public art and say there's no room for complacency.

In 2007, then planning minister Andrew Barr singled out Manuka's charms to explain what the government was aiming for in transforming Braddon's predominant car yard precinct.

Seven years on Manuka businesses cite Braddon as a trendy benchmark, challenging their drawcard status throughout the territory.

Manuka Business Association's Quentin Webster wrote in his newsletter older residents found the shopping centre had a quaintness difficult to find elsewhere, but believed much of Manuka's village charm had been lost.

Meanwhile, grass has been restored at Kingston's Green Square, Kingston foreshore is gaining more eateries, New Acton's Palace Electric Theatre is giving Manuka's Capitol Theatre competition and Canberra Avenue traffic continues making a moat of Manuka Oval.

Mr Webster, who helped initiate a festival last October to enliven Manuka, said enthusiasm to keep ahead of the competition was widespread. ''Every small business seems to operate independently. There's lots of enthusiasm to get things moving to counter competition from Braddon, the Westfields (Woden and Belconnen) and the Canberra Centre.''

Historian Nick Swain said in the early 1920, when planners decided on a shopping site, they also decided on one at Kingston. ''Unfortunately the boss, John Sulman, was overseas and two significant errors were made: locating the Kingston centre half a mile from Manuka and allowing larger shops to be built.''

Sulman wasn't happy and today the inner south had a ''double yolk'' shopping centre with Kingston and Manuka so close - or a triple yolk if you take in the foreshore's commercial development.

Fourth generation Manuka resident and real estate principal Stephen Thompson described the shopping centre as the ''Double Bay of Canberra''. He remembers his grandfather's butcher shop, and general retailing transforming into up-market fashion shops bringing higher expectations into all the shops, including the cafes.

Palmerston Lane fashion retailer Angela Nichol who traded in the 1970s and early 1980s in Brunswick Street and Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, believes that city's laneways are an ideal template.

''Maybe a little more upmarket, using lots of trees, greenery, some sculpture, interesting places to sit, to green it up,'' Ms Nichol said.

Across the lane Ona Coffee will expand into Gabby's near door, when the dress shop closes.

Founder Sasa Sestic said: ''Ona on the lawns will provide a communal atmosphere, where our customers are friends. The interior will be welcoming to those who love Manuka.''