Bringing a ‘zing’ to dear old Dipton
A search for a “better lifestyle and slower pace” led a Southland couple to move from Invercargill to Dipton eight months ago.
Now, Brenda Mathers and Scott Flynn have started a quirky gift shop in the small Southland town in hopes of putting Dipton on the map by promoting local artists and attracting tourists.
“We’re going to have a few Dipton souvenirs that people can buy and take away and say that they’ve been to Dipton of all places,” Mathers said.
“It’s [about] trying to put a bit of a buzz and zing back into a small community.”
The pair also have other goals for their Suite Southern Gift Shop, which is on the Lumsden-Dipton Highway inside a do-it-yourself cabin bought from Mitre 10.
One is to help a friend whose Invercargill business, Creativity Plus, was affected by the aftermath of a major fire on Dee St last year, Mathers said.
Business has been tough for their friend because of difficulties with car park access. To help her, the couple decided to stock some of her products, Mathers said.
In addition, they stock cushions they have made themselves as well as a range of knick-knacks and items made in New Zealand and imported from overseas.
These include bags, lights, little charms for children to attach to their Crocs sandals, and sheepskin rugs from Classic Sheepskins, a New Zealand company, she said.
Items made by local artisans include soaps from a Wyndham soap-maker and scarves from a woman in Dipton, she said.
Coffee is available to buy from a coffee cart on the property.
Mathers said many tourists stopped in Dipton to use the public toilets, which were across the road from the couple’s new shop.
“Dipton was a town that you [would] just drive straight through. Now, we’ve put our stamp on it,” she said.
“So many people stop to use those public toilets. We thought, well, we’re right across the road – come over, get a coffee, have a look through the shop, spend a couple of dollars and support local artists. That’s really what it’s about. don’t think it’s going to make us millions, but it’s not the point. It’s more about getting people to stop rather than just fly through the town.”
The shop will be open on weekdays from 10am until 2pm, and on weekends when they are around, she said. It had a couple of test runs during one weekend and on Easter Monday, to seek feedback.
Mathers said Dipton offered the perks of rural and smalltown life.
“That’s the only other [reason] as to why we moved out there and why we’re doing what we’re doing.”