Raglan Vintage & Retro now on the Wharf

On Saturday 1st February, Raglan Vintage & Retro moved from Bow St to its new home on Raglan Wharf at 100 Wallis St, just past Soul Shoes. Susan Marrow told us about her business:

“Raglan Vintage & Retro evolved from my own personal collection of items I have acquired over the past 20+ years.

I grew up in Hamilton, and spent a lot of time in Raglan as a child. My sisters and I stayed at Bryant Home in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. My parents and family lived in Raglan for a short time in 1962 while our new home was built in Hamilton. We lived in a bach on the corner of Wallis St and Government Rd. My sister and I attended Raglan Area School.

I have always had a passion for collecting, and went through phases of collecting, Carnival Glass, Golliwogs, Noddy, Teddy Bears, New Zealand Railways items, and for the past 15-20 years, New Zealand Pottery with a main focus on Crown Lynn items, McAlpine Jugs etc.

My husband Paul and I went overseas for 2 months in 2012. While we were away, I realised that I didn’t miss any of my ‘treasures’, and that it was time to down size.

We had lived in Auckland for 41 years, and I started to dream about retiring to Raglan, and opening a little Antique shop. The plan was to sell our house in Auckland and buy a property in Raglan, and carry on working in Auckland for 5 years, until retirement. This idea was dashed when we saw a vacant shop in Bow Street, as we were leaving town one Sunday afternoon.

We looked at the empty premises, and then thought the shop that ‘Soul Shoes’ were about to vacate would be perfect. As it turned out L J Hooker went into that space, which then left the premises next to Kiwibank/Post Shop vacant. We decided to throw caution to the wind, and realise the dream earlier.

We sold our house in Auckland, and bought in Raglan. We opened the shop at 37b Bow Street, and Raglan Vintage & Retro was born in February 2013.

We have loved living in Raglan, and becoming part of the community. We have received a warm welcome from the local people, and Raglan Vintage & Retro has added colour to the main street, with ever-changing window displays, that have delighted the locals and visitors to Raglan.

We initially took the lease at Bow Street for 12 months, and soon realised that the premises were a little small for our collection, which is now ever increasing, to keep the stock levels up.

After almost 12 months of operating, we have now moved our shop to new premises at Raglan Wharf. With the other established businesses of Tony Sly Pottery, Soul Shoes, and Raglan Fish, we have taken a ‘leap of faith’ to larger premises, and hope to be able to offer the local people of Raglan, and visitors, a larger selection of ‘retro’ furniture and an interesting array of collectables. Something for everyone.

Come and visit Raglan Vintage & Retro at our new premises at Raglan Wharf, at the end of Wallis St.

Sue Marrow.”