Could St Kilda’s rent-free experiment help restore glory to Melbourne’s iconic shopping strips?

Sophie Brabenec grew up in St Kilda, and gets emotional talking about what Fitzroy Street means to her.

“It was vibing back in the day,” she said.

“From an arcade that used to be here where we’d hang out before school and check out the hot boys, to Leo’s spaghetti bar where I used to have spaghetti with my family, the chemist I used to pick up my grandma’s prescription from, the Prince of Wales [bar] for dollar pots and playing pool.

“It’s a part of my heart and soul and it was busy and it was vibrant.”

After spending 13 years working as an actor across London and Los Angeles, Ms…