Buy local

Going to the markets and picking up antiques is a national hobby in France, says Mehdi Sanssar, co-owner of the So Vintage store in Te Awanga. When he and his New Zealand-born wife Korreen moved to Aotearoa from France, they missed the thrill of the hunt and started an antiques and collectables business to try and replicate the market experience. “The market is a French way of life; you never know what you are going to get. Sometimes you go home with nothing, sometimes you find treasure.” The couple returns to France to pick up unique pieces of furniture, homeware and objets d'occasion for their store. Medhi visits markets early in the morning, sometimes in darkness, to buy pieces that catch his eye. “In France, there is a word for this bargain-hunting called ‘chiner'.” Adds Koreen: “We have a bit of everything and didn't want to create a fancy antique shop where everything was expensive. We have some special pieces but also wanted people to be able to come in with $10 and find a small treasure.” Corner of Clifton Road and Pipi Streets, Te Awanga. 027 956 9415, sovintage.co.nz