Corner Store: Over 25 years where style and individuality intersect
As it turns out, it is one of the longest-running clothing stores in town.
Owner Chris Walsh got his first retail job when he was just 15, working across the Ditch in Newcastle, where he was brought up.
That was where he got a taste of fashion and the fun that comes from working in the industry, he says.
"There were these cool girls working with me and I was thinking 'Whoa, there's great girls, you can hang out with girls, this is perfect'," he jokes.
He dreamed of coming to New Zealand to ski at Treble Cone. When he arrived, he fell in love with Wānaka and the rest is history.
In 1999, he and two mates, Brent Harridge and Tim Hudson, brought into the Base clothing store business. At the time it cost them just $50,000 each for the lease in Helwick St. By comparison, sections in Meadowstone Dr at the time were going for about $30,000.
"I came to New Zealand and realised there wasn't much in the way of clothing stores."
There was little happening at the lakefront end of Helwick St and so they placed themselves on "Plods Patch" (the intersection of Helwick and Dunmore Sts), as it was affectionately named. He recalls PaperPlus was on the diagonal corner, where it still sits today.
"More retail in upper Helwick St has helped. The pavements were no good at the start — it was just us and the pharmacy. You had to cross the road, [so] we were a bit of a destination."
Over the course of a quarter of a century, he has seen the town change remarkably and plenty of retailers fail, or leave for other opportunities.
"In Wānaka, a lot of shops come and go but there's still a lot of independent stores and we have a local vibe, which is pretty cool and special."
While there were stores before his, and many have come since, the shops he recalls having done the long-haul are Kai Whakapai, the Dough Bin, PaperPlus, Racers Edge, Wānaka Pharmacy and the Westpac Bank.
Mr Walsh puts down the longevity down to necessity and grit.
After the 1999 Wānaka floods and the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, he had to borrow money from his parents and sell property to stay on that corner.
"My accountants were saying shut the business down."
He stayed because he loved the work and "knew it would come right".
It did. Once the GFC passed, Wānaka township started to grow at a slow and steady pace; in the past five years it has boomed.
The property market and domestic buyers had helped.
Tourism been a huge part of his shop's survival.
"The quality of international tourism — we are getting more European and Americans and Canadians and they love shopping," he says.
"Covid was frightening when it happened. We started our online store more heavily during Covid and then after Covid we had a really awesome couple of years.
"I find New Zealanders are my best customers, followed by Aussies. New Zealanders were travelling around and supporting New Zealanders. The last couple of years have been a little tough because the economy has been a little tough on people's spending, mortgages and interest rates."
When he looks back on 1999 when the shop first opened, the store was quite "modern" compared with most others, which set it apart.
"The store was unique. It was way out there; everything was old and our store was new school and modern."
Initial brands stocked were Lee, Huffer, Wrangler and Rusty, all of which carry through today.
Mr Walsh says Wānaka is great for shopping because it has more than just chain stores. It is a shopping destination because of its unique independent stores.
"In Wānaka, the clothing assortment is fantastic. There are so many good clothing stores. I think we are one of the best places to go shopping. We have more options than anywhere. You go anywhere else and they are all chain stores but here we are all different and independent."
He adds that Wānaka people are fashionable.
"I think Wānaka people are fit and healthy and they like to wear cool clothes that are comfortable. And the older crew dress younger. It's down to earth."
While his prices are mid level, he has enjoyed seeing higher-end fashion come to Wānaka and bring something for everyone.
The business trio also started women's clothing store, Bella, as well as the Base ski shop. They have since sold both and they are still in operating.
And as for the name change, it's obvious, he says.
"I dreamed up all these funky names. Corner Store suits all the ages — we have teens and older customers, we cater for all women and all ages and Corner Store seems to suit that, a place that caters for all."
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