Margarets Womens Fashion
If there’s one thing that Margaret Mclean learned during the Covid crisis it’s the fact that life, and every day, is precious. “Covid has taught us a lot, every day is a blessing,” the Hastings based retailer says. After 43 years in the fashion industry, as owner of Margarets in Heretaunga Street West, the warm and kind hearted 77-year-old realises that things are not normal and retailing has changed. In retail you have to use your brain, especially now that people seem to be more practical about “everyday things” and more realistic about life. Personally Margaret coped well during Covid and when restrictions were lifted a little she adapted to the circumstances and offered a Pick and Collect service. Clients selected garments promoted in an advertisement in Hawke’s Bay Today and she delivered the orders. “Full marks to the people at Mary Doyle, they were great and very professional at the gates. They were absolutely professional when I dropped off the clothes,” she says. When the store re-opened they took health and safety seriously. Now at Level 1 life at Margarets has resumed but things aren’t quite the same. After so many decades in retail Margaret knows that the key to success is being flexible and right now that includes some great specials on a wide range of garments. The quality of all her stock is high, which is a major selling point but she says it’s becoming harder to source quality New Zealand made women’s wear. Margaret has a large number of clients who she all knows by name. She loves chatting with her ladies and treats them all as special. “My mother taught me to treat people as you would expect to be treated,” she says. “My darlings are all special.” Margaret is grateful she has stable and reliable staff - Marg, Sue and Janet. Janet works every Friday which gives Margaret the opportunity for a day off. “I love coming to work as each day is different. I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people and assisting them with their purchases.” Never one to sit and wait for customers to come to her Margaret has organised regular fashion shows, about four a year, for over 30 years. They have been held at Summerset and Mary Doyle and have always been very well received. Margaret started her career as a dressmaker before working at Bradshaws Fabrics Shop. “Lindsay Bradshaw was the most amazing boss anyone could possibly have.” After she married she made many wedding frocks while the children were young working from home. From there she started her own business, buying Mahora Drapery in 1977. It was a real little community in those days, she recalls. The closure of the Whakatu Freezing Works affected the business so she moved to Stortford Lodge where she stayed for three years before moving to her current location in Heretaunga Street West. Initially she sold women’s wear and a children’s brand Peter Rabbit. A spate of thefts led Margaret to decide on focusing on mature women which she felt was a missing market. “I get so much joy out of the dear old ladies.” For many years Margaret been asked about if she might retire and the answer has always been “not yet” but right now she is seriously considering retiring! The one snag is that she doesn’t know how she’ll cope without the people contact. If she does retire then she plans to fill her days with voluntary activities which may help fill the gap in her life. She’ll also go to lots of musicals and enjoy family time and sport with her grand-children. As a proud retailer Margaret still shows the entrepreneurial flair and business like thinking that has contributed towards her success. She feels very strongly that efforts to brighten up Hastings must continue. “We can’t sit back, we need to promote local business and set about active marketing.” We will still deliver/courier if required.
328 Heretaunga Street West, Hastings
Ph 878 2616.
Hrs 9am – 4.30 Mon – Fri. Saturday 9.30am – 1pm.