T¯ırau swaps antiques for retro collectibles
Retro is the new king of collectible commerce in Tı¯rau.
The small south Waikato town used to be known as the Antiques Capital of New Zealand before the last of an abundance of antique stores closed in 2017.
But now some retailers are hoping that stores selling retro collectibles will refocus the town’s identity.
Avid collector of 20 years Shane HartSmith relocated from Katikati to open a retro store, Retro Collectables New Zealand. Two other shops are following suit.
Hart-Smith said due to the town’s former identity, Tı¯rau was the perfect place for retro stores.
‘‘People still know Tı¯rau as the Antiques Capital of New Zealand and they come in and ask if there are any antique stores and you have to say they are all gone,’’ he said.
‘‘But the reason why all the antique shops have disappeared is because they didn’t move with the times and go into retro.
‘‘Antiques don’t suit today’s homes. Retro is the new antique and people absolutely love it.’’
He said young and old were increasingly wanting to buy ‘‘part of New Zealand’s history’’ from records, signs, and board games to ceramics by Crown Lynn, old cameras, and furniture dating from the 40s to 80s.
‘‘There is another retro shop opening up down the alleyway by the Tı¯rau Foodmarket. She is called Ma and Pa’s Collectables and there is another one that has just opened up that does a bit of retro too,’’ he said.
‘‘Retro is cool, and people like the funkiness of that era. We sell a lot of retro shades. A lady bought seven the other day,’’ he said.
Hart-Smith said he wasn’t worried about online competition.
‘‘When people come in here, they know what they want and they just grab it. Even op-shops have little sections for retro now because everyone is cottoning on to it.’’ He said feedback had been positive. ‘‘I sell a little bit online but not a lot because people wouldn’t be able to see it,’’ he said.
‘‘Every person that comes in here says wow. It’s just part of history whereas everything these days in gift shops is brand new and doesn’t last.
‘‘Retro style furniture is being made now but it is not as good as the old stuff.’’
Tı¯rau councillor Peter Schulte said with the town only getting busier it was important traveller demands were met.
‘‘Tı¯rau has to go where there is demand and this is what the travelling public want in Tı¯rau.
‘‘When the Cambridge bypass happened there was a 10 per cent increase in traffic in Tı¯rau and once the expressway is finished in 2020 people won’t go via State Highway 2 or 7, they will come straight down from Auckland to Tı¯rau and we in the South Waikato need to take advantage of that,’’ Schulte said.