Vintage at Victoria: Where Nostalgia Meets Whanganui
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If you're on the hunt for a treasure trove of cool and quirky finds, look no further than Whanganui's very own time capsule: Vintage at Victoria Court. Nestled snugly in the heart of the town, this delightful shop is a haven for those who appreciate the charm of yesteryears.
The Ultimate Nostalgia Fix: Walking into Vintage at Victoria is like stepping into a time machine that zips you through the decades. From the moment you cross the threshold, you'll be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of vintage wonders. Local art, aviation memorabilia, books that whisper secrets from another era, comics that take you back to your childhood, and ephemera that will leave you mesmerized – it's all here! Something for Everyone: One of the shop's most appealing qualities is its variety. Whether you're a collector on the hunt for a rare gem or a casual shopper in search of a unique gift, Vintage at Victoria has something to offer. Kitchenalia for the home chef, cozy wool blankets to snuggle up with, toys that evoke nostalgia, suitcases and trunks for the seasoned traveler, brass and glass items that add a touch of elegance, and even tools for the DIY enthusiast – the selection is as diverse as it is delightful. The Perfect Shopping Excursion: Vintage at Victoria knows that life can get busy. That's why they've made it super convenient for you to explore their vintage haven. They're open from Wednesday to Saturday, ensuring you have plenty of opportunities to visit. And for those who prefer a little late-night retail therapy, Fridays bring a special treat with extended hours until 6 pm. Discover Artso Gallery Too As if Vintage at Victoria weren't enough of a treat, make sure you take a stroll over to the Artso Gallery nearby. Here, you can immerse yourself in a world of local art, where creativity knows no bounds. It's the perfect complement to your vintage shopping adventure. So, whether you're a seasoned vintage collector, a curious shopper, or just someone looking to spend an enjoyable afternoon in Whanganui, Vintage at Victoria and the neighboring Artso Gallery should be at the top of your must-visit list. Step into a world where nostalgia reigns, and surprises await around every corner. Happy vintage hunting! |
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Ardon England Artistry is one of only a handful of studios in the country offering SMP. (Photo credit: Paterson Brown Photography)
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Using artistry to tackle hair lossWhanganui has its share of high quality cosmetic and beauty businesses, but Ardon England’s new studio on Ridgway Street, Ardon England Artistry, offers a unique point of difference – scalp micro-pigmentation.
Scalp micro-pigmentation (SMP) is an innovative new technique to tackle hair loss involving natural pigments applied to the scalp to replicate the appearance of hair follicles. This adds density, giving the appearance of a fuller head of hair – or a shadow of hair for those who shave their head. While SMP is probably not a term many New Zealanders have come across, Ardon says it’s an increasingly popular procedure around the world that can be an absolute game changer for people struggling for confidence. “SMP can be life-changing procedure for people facing hair loss. The beauty of it is that it provides immediate results, avoids any of the side effects of drug-based treatments – and doesn’t involve any invasive surgery like hair transplants (which often fail anyway). “SMP is also far more affordable compared to other hair restoration methods. The process allows for a gradual build-up of density over several sessions, of 1–4 hours each. Tens of thousands of men and women around the world have chosen SMP for these reasons.” |
SMP isn’t the only thing that’s unique about the business. Arden himself has a very interesting story. Although born and raised in Whanganui, he left the awa city in 2016 to pursue his passion for dance – which saw him travel extensively and even represent New Zealand in our national salsa dance team. He’s also a boxer, a tattooist, and a creative make-up artist.
“I first established my Ardon England brand in Auckland in 2020, but before that I had been building relationships and creating a name for myself years as a cosmetic artist. I always knew I wanted my own brand. I just had to figure out exactly what that looked like.”
But after six years away from Whanganui, and with the advent of Covid, Ardon pivoted and decided to return home and set up a new studio in a heritage building the Whanganui’s town centre.
“I wanted to be closer to friends and whanau, and I also saw a gap in the market for creative makeup art and SMP. Whanganui is such a special place with amazing people, and the community support I’ve had since moving home has confirmed for me that I made a great decision.”
Ardon says SMP is relatively new in New Zealand, with only a few clinics offering it around the country, the closest to us being in Waikanae – so he’s excited to be able to bring this option to men and women in our region.
As well as SMP, Ardon offers creative makeup services for weddings and special occasions – and makeup lessons (to both individuals and groups).
For more information, visit ardonenglandartistry.co.nz
“I first established my Ardon England brand in Auckland in 2020, but before that I had been building relationships and creating a name for myself years as a cosmetic artist. I always knew I wanted my own brand. I just had to figure out exactly what that looked like.”
But after six years away from Whanganui, and with the advent of Covid, Ardon pivoted and decided to return home and set up a new studio in a heritage building the Whanganui’s town centre.
“I wanted to be closer to friends and whanau, and I also saw a gap in the market for creative makeup art and SMP. Whanganui is such a special place with amazing people, and the community support I’ve had since moving home has confirmed for me that I made a great decision.”
Ardon says SMP is relatively new in New Zealand, with only a few clinics offering it around the country, the closest to us being in Waikanae – so he’s excited to be able to bring this option to men and women in our region.
As well as SMP, Ardon offers creative makeup services for weddings and special occasions – and makeup lessons (to both individuals and groups).
For more information, visit ardonenglandartistry.co.nz
Crickle Creek's Kellie enjoying a cuppa in their beautiful store.
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Hunting for treasure at Crickle CreekWith its bounty of op shops and a location just out of reach of hipsters scouring State Highway One, Whanganui has long been a mecca for treasure hunters. But there’s one shop in particular that should be on every vintage-lovers bucket list – Crickle Creek Trading.
Established by local farming couple Kellie and Richie, Crickle Creek began life as a small stall selling vintage antiques and collectables at the local market. But the pair soon realised that collecting and trading vintage wares was their calling and in October 2020 they took the plunge and established a boutique shop on Whanganui’s heritage-rich Victoria Avenue. Despite the challenges of Covid, Crickle Creek has flourished since opening – quickly building a reputation for high quality vintage and retro homewares, antiques, collectibles, art, records and pre-loved designer and vintage clothing. And although they have a carefully curated range of lovingly restored pieces, their products are remarkably affordable – especially when compared to similar stores in major centres. As well as endeavouring to keep things as affordable as possible, Kellie says Crickle Creek also put a strong emphasis on buying locally. |
Crickle Creek is a must visit for lovers of all things vintage!
“We're passionate about reducing our carbon footprint, so we do our best to provide products that have been locally and regionally sourced – and we’re fortunate that there’s some amazing treasures in our region! Occasionally we also travel the country on buying trips to ensure our range always has variety and quality.”
Both Kellie and Richie are big New Zealand history buffs, and that plays a big part in their passion for collecting and trading items with old world charm. But another factor is the sheer quality and craftsmanship in products from days gone by.
“The craftmanship put into many of the products we get is just incredible. These were high quality pieces that were built to last – which is refreshing in today’s world of fast fashion and flimsy furniture. We also love the fact we are supporting recycling while finding new homes for pieces that were crafted so lovingly.”
According to Kellie, the definition of vintage is something "of age" , however the general rule is that it’s anything more than 40-50 years old.
“It definitely has to have that gorgeous vintage patina look. But another way to define it is that a vintage piece should be an investment that will last – and ideally keep or increase in value. Not like most of the modern stuff available today that decreases in value the moment you walk out the door and generally has a shorter life expectancy!”
Kellie says as well as the thrill of discovering ‘new’ treasures, one of the best parts of her job is meeting and chatting with their customers.
“We love doing business on Victoria Avenue, in the heart of our heritage town centre. And it’s also just such a pleasure chatting with both locals and visitors from around the country (or the world) who have a passion for history. It’s great to hear their stories and help them find something special to make them smile!”
Crickle Creek Trading is located at 142 Victoria Avenue. For information, or to check out their vintage wares online, visit the Crickle Creek Facebook page.
Both Kellie and Richie are big New Zealand history buffs, and that plays a big part in their passion for collecting and trading items with old world charm. But another factor is the sheer quality and craftsmanship in products from days gone by.
“The craftmanship put into many of the products we get is just incredible. These were high quality pieces that were built to last – which is refreshing in today’s world of fast fashion and flimsy furniture. We also love the fact we are supporting recycling while finding new homes for pieces that were crafted so lovingly.”
According to Kellie, the definition of vintage is something "of age" , however the general rule is that it’s anything more than 40-50 years old.
“It definitely has to have that gorgeous vintage patina look. But another way to define it is that a vintage piece should be an investment that will last – and ideally keep or increase in value. Not like most of the modern stuff available today that decreases in value the moment you walk out the door and generally has a shorter life expectancy!”
Kellie says as well as the thrill of discovering ‘new’ treasures, one of the best parts of her job is meeting and chatting with their customers.
“We love doing business on Victoria Avenue, in the heart of our heritage town centre. And it’s also just such a pleasure chatting with both locals and visitors from around the country (or the world) who have a passion for history. It’s great to hear their stories and help them find something special to make them smile!”
Crickle Creek Trading is located at 142 Victoria Avenue. For information, or to check out their vintage wares online, visit the Crickle Creek Facebook page.
Honest Kitchen's Karen
Sewell (in black) with her trusty team of baristas.
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Food in the time of CovidThe impact of Covid, with its lockdowns, capacity limits and ever-changing regulations has pushed bars, cafes and restaurants across New Zealand to their limits. And While Whanganui’s economy has proved more resilient than most, many businesses here have been forced to adapt in order to survive. We caught up with two popular local eateries to discuss the challenges of running a hospitality business in the time of Covid.
When Karen Sewell first opened Honest Kitchen in a quaint heritage building at 44 Ridgway Street in late 2018, she could hardly have guessed what was around the corner. While there’s risks for any new business enterprise, the challenges presented by Covid-19 have been unprecedented. Yet Honest Kitchen hasn’t just weathered the storm of Covid, they’ve adapted and in turn grown – and so has the loyal customer base that seeks out their excellent coffee and wholesome food each day. Part of their success is down to the fact that even before Covid, they had a strong focus on providing healthy ready-to-eat meals (which put them in a good position to provide contactless service). Another factor is that Karen and her partner Rob have always believed adaptability is key for any successful business. |
“We’re constantly looking at ways to tweak and adapt – whether in a Covid world or non-Covid world. And while Covid has brought a great deal of uncertainty for businesses, at Honest Kitchen we looked to adapt and grow by creating a new role for business development and marketing to reach more customers online,” said Karen.
“The biggest challenge for us has been the direct impact on the cost of goods, especially meat and dairy. We’ve worked incredibly hard to absorb those costs internally but ultimately for us to survive as a business we have had to increase prices. Fortunately, our local community has been very understanding.”
As well building a strong rapport with locals, Honest Kitchen’s online marketing efforts have also helped them gain customers from outside Whanganui.
“Back in December we had a couple drive up from Wellington specifically to taste our smoked salmon, after learning about us on Instagram. Since then they’ve returned several times. We’re also increasingly getting people driving from Taranaki to Wellington make a point of stopping in Whanganui to visit Honest Kitchen. We’ve also a number of people based in Australia ordering meals online for friends and whanau here in Whanganui.”
“The biggest challenge for us has been the direct impact on the cost of goods, especially meat and dairy. We’ve worked incredibly hard to absorb those costs internally but ultimately for us to survive as a business we have had to increase prices. Fortunately, our local community has been very understanding.”
As well building a strong rapport with locals, Honest Kitchen’s online marketing efforts have also helped them gain customers from outside Whanganui.
“Back in December we had a couple drive up from Wellington specifically to taste our smoked salmon, after learning about us on Instagram. Since then they’ve returned several times. We’re also increasingly getting people driving from Taranaki to Wellington make a point of stopping in Whanganui to visit Honest Kitchen. We’ve also a number of people based in Australia ordering meals online for friends and whanau here in Whanganui.”
Jason Simpson and Cathy-Lee Amer of Pita Pit Whanganui
Up the road on Victoria Avenue another business that has weathered the Covid storm impressively is Pita Pit Whanganui, operated by Cathy-Lee Amer and Jason Simpson.
Cathy-Lee says Covid has been a real challenge, “especially since we only brought Pita Pit in November 2019 – so we were very new to the business world when we went into our first look down.”
Despite the challenging times, Pita Pit have had great local support and were also in a strong position to provide contactless takeaway service – as well as deliveries through local company Food Runners. Consequently, they went on to be recognised as New Zealand’s top performing franchise for 2021.
Jason says it was great to receive recognition for their team’s hard work and the growth their business has enjoyed. But like many businesses in our city, they’re now starting to feel the pinch with arrival of omicron.
“Since the first cases were announced here in Whanganui, we’ve seen a steep drop-off of people going out and about – which is obviously having a significant impact on hospitality businesses.
“Fortunately, we’ve been lucky enough to be an approved supplier for the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunch programme, providing over 100,000 lunches to local children. This has become a core part of our business and has helped us immensely during this very trying time.”
Cathy-Lee feels a lot of empathy for other hospitality businesses around town, especially those who haven’t enjoyed the same relative advantages.
“I think it’s important that our community understands how challenging this situation is for businesses. Government support can only go so far. So I’d urge people, if they can, to get out and support their local cafes and restaurants. They’re taking all the measures they can to ensure your health and safety and they need your support more than ever.”
Cathy-Lee says Covid has been a real challenge, “especially since we only brought Pita Pit in November 2019 – so we were very new to the business world when we went into our first look down.”
Despite the challenging times, Pita Pit have had great local support and were also in a strong position to provide contactless takeaway service – as well as deliveries through local company Food Runners. Consequently, they went on to be recognised as New Zealand’s top performing franchise for 2021.
Jason says it was great to receive recognition for their team’s hard work and the growth their business has enjoyed. But like many businesses in our city, they’re now starting to feel the pinch with arrival of omicron.
“Since the first cases were announced here in Whanganui, we’ve seen a steep drop-off of people going out and about – which is obviously having a significant impact on hospitality businesses.
“Fortunately, we’ve been lucky enough to be an approved supplier for the Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunch programme, providing over 100,000 lunches to local children. This has become a core part of our business and has helped us immensely during this very trying time.”
Cathy-Lee feels a lot of empathy for other hospitality businesses around town, especially those who haven’t enjoyed the same relative advantages.
“I think it’s important that our community understands how challenging this situation is for businesses. Government support can only go so far. So I’d urge people, if they can, to get out and support their local cafes and restaurants. They’re taking all the measures they can to ensure your health and safety and they need your support more than ever.”
Spinning Yarns at Whanganui's wonderful wool shop
Amanda Spooner (pictured with her parents John and Gay) has transformed Garney Spooner into one of New Zealand's top wool shops.
Garney Spooner has been a mainstay in Whanganui for 90 years now. First established as a dry-cleaning business in 1931, the family-owned enterprise is still going strong on Guyton Street. However, with the fourth generation of Spooners (Amanda) now at the helm, it’s no longer
dry-cleaning they’re known for. Instead they're now one of New Zealand’s finest purveyors of wools.
When Amanda’s great grandfather Garney first set up the business, dry-cleaning was a big deal. Back then most garments were made from natural fibres that couldn’t be machine-washed, so there was a huge market for dry cleaning. But as the 20th century progressed, natural fibres like wool were increasingly replaced by machine wash-friendly synthetic fibres like polyester and the market for dry-cleaning gradually declined.
It was perhaps ironic that when Amanda’s parents John and Gay decided to diversify their business in 1988, it was a wool shop they chose to open alongside their dry cleaning business. “To be fair, wool wasn’t a huge part of the business back then,” said John. “Dry cleaning was still our bread and butter, and the wool shop was an extra”.
dry-cleaning they’re known for. Instead they're now one of New Zealand’s finest purveyors of wools.
When Amanda’s great grandfather Garney first set up the business, dry-cleaning was a big deal. Back then most garments were made from natural fibres that couldn’t be machine-washed, so there was a huge market for dry cleaning. But as the 20th century progressed, natural fibres like wool were increasingly replaced by machine wash-friendly synthetic fibres like polyester and the market for dry-cleaning gradually declined.
It was perhaps ironic that when Amanda’s parents John and Gay decided to diversify their business in 1988, it was a wool shop they chose to open alongside their dry cleaning business. “To be fair, wool wasn’t a huge part of the business back then,” said John. “Dry cleaning was still our bread and butter, and the wool shop was an extra”.
Garney Spooner founded the business in 1931.
27 years later, in 2015, John was on the verge of retirement and decided to sell the dry cleaning business not knowing what to do with the wool side of the business. Out of the blue Amanda suggested that she would like to take the business over. Taking the reins with help from her parents, Garney Spooner Woolshop has grown into one of New Zealand’s top wool shops with a carefully curated range of over 150 lines and 1200 colours.
Amanda credits the secret to the shop’s success is building genuine friendships with the local knitting community. “Using social media has been a big part of that. I’m very grateful that our customers share posts and interact with our page, this has really helped”.
I have kept the monthly instore $50 voucher draw for any wool purchase. “That works two ways creating a nice incentive to keep shopping here, and more importantly it also helps me learn our customers name so I can personalise the service I provide.” Her dad agrees that the personal touch is a big part of her success. “Back when I was running the business, we’d have people coming in for 30 years, and I’d always known them as Mrs Smith. Now I’ll see the same lady come in and Amanda will say ‘hello Mary how are you!’”
Amanda has also always made sure to keep catering for knitters of all means. “We stock high-end luxury blends but it’s also important to have good quality wools for hobby knitters or those knitting for charities”.
“I’ve discovered since running the business is that there are many knitters & crocheters who use their skills to create woollen items to support people in need. It’s very heart-warming to see how much kindness and generosity there is in the Whanganui community”
As well as helping others it is well known that people who do handcrafts can gain a lot of therapeutic benefits. “These days so many people are addicted to devices. Having a creative hobby like knitting or crochet that requires both your hands to be doing something positive (rather that mindlessly scrolling your phone screen) is a great way to relax and unwind.”
Garney Spooner Wool Shop is located at 93 Guyton Street. They also have a wide range of specialty yarns available online at garneyspoonerwool.co.nz
Amanda credits the secret to the shop’s success is building genuine friendships with the local knitting community. “Using social media has been a big part of that. I’m very grateful that our customers share posts and interact with our page, this has really helped”.
I have kept the monthly instore $50 voucher draw for any wool purchase. “That works two ways creating a nice incentive to keep shopping here, and more importantly it also helps me learn our customers name so I can personalise the service I provide.” Her dad agrees that the personal touch is a big part of her success. “Back when I was running the business, we’d have people coming in for 30 years, and I’d always known them as Mrs Smith. Now I’ll see the same lady come in and Amanda will say ‘hello Mary how are you!’”
Amanda has also always made sure to keep catering for knitters of all means. “We stock high-end luxury blends but it’s also important to have good quality wools for hobby knitters or those knitting for charities”.
“I’ve discovered since running the business is that there are many knitters & crocheters who use their skills to create woollen items to support people in need. It’s very heart-warming to see how much kindness and generosity there is in the Whanganui community”
As well as helping others it is well known that people who do handcrafts can gain a lot of therapeutic benefits. “These days so many people are addicted to devices. Having a creative hobby like knitting or crochet that requires both your hands to be doing something positive (rather that mindlessly scrolling your phone screen) is a great way to relax and unwind.”
Garney Spooner Wool Shop is located at 93 Guyton Street. They also have a wide range of specialty yarns available online at garneyspoonerwool.co.nz
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Paige's is a paradise for book lovers of all ages
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Whanganui's award-winning boutique bookstorePaige’s Book Gallery is a rarity in today’s world of big block retailers and e-commerce giants. It’s a locally owned bricks and mortar bookshop with a carefully curated stock of literature to suit every age and interest.
Sitting just beneath the rise on Guyton Street on the edge of the Whanganui CBD, Paige’s is a kaleidoscope of colours where customers are free to sit back in comfy armchairs and immerse themselves in the eclectic range of literature. Paige’s reflects many of the things that make downtown Whanganui itself unique. It has a sense of old school charm, but there’s also an air of creative ambience and innovation. And like Whanganui as a whole, Paige’s has become a destination that’s generating a lot of buzz. “Prior to Covid, we were finding people from all corners of the world were visiting Paige’s. It seemed we’d become known far and wide as a book shop of discovery,” says Paige’s owner, Lesley Stead. |
When Lesley first established Paige’s back in 2004, it was a fledging business run from her home. But in 2006 she took the plunge to establish a physical bookstore in a heritage building on Guyton Street.
Back then, the idea of establishing a specialised, boutique bookstore in Whanganui might well have been ridiculed by many. Whanganui then was often derided by the media as a cultural backwater – and at one point was even labelled a ‘zombie town’ (due to its shrinking population).
But clearly Lesley recognised something about Whanganui that many others didn’t.
“We always believed our little city by the Awa had huge untapped potential with its rugged natural beauty, magnificent heritage buildings, and the genuine sense of community here. So we knew it was only a matter of time before unprecedented growth occurred.”
With Whanganui’s phoenix like rise in recent years – its growing population and economy, its thriving arts scene and the steady stream of accolades being bestowed upon the city – Lesley’s vision has proven prescient.
While Paige’s caters for many niche audiences with highly specialised literature, it’s far from an ivory tower. Instead Lesley and her team believe it’s important to have an inclusive atmosphere that fosters a love of reading in people of all ages and backgrounds.
“Our philosophy is that it’s essential to immerse young people in books, starting with babies, and from that basis, there’s a strong chance the love of literature in its many forms, will follow people through their lives,” says Lesley.
The success of Paige’s has seen Lesley, who is also a talented illustrator, establish another business adjoining the bookstore called Lockett Gallery.
“Lockett is unique in Aotearoa as no other gallery primarily celebrates published illustrators. As we all know, illustration is an integral aspect of the book industry. What’s more, we’ve also established a small publishing company, Lucy Lockett’s Pocket, which is in the throes of expansion.”
Given Lesley’s passion for her city, illustration and encouraging children to read, it’s fitting that their first in-house publication, Beautiful Whanganui, is a board book for babies that celebrates New Zealand’s most beautiful little city with beautiful black and white illustrations.
Paige’s Book Gallery and Lockett Gallery are a much-loved and integral part of the wider Whanganui community. Lesley and her friendly team welcome anyone who is visiting the area. To learn more about Paige's, click here.
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