Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Shore Boys (and girls)

Black Box in Taka; bang the drum...

Earlier in the year we were driving an international visitor friend of ours around Auckland to show him the sights. We went up Mt Victoria then headed north through Takapuna as he was keen to do some shopping. "Why are we here?" he said, somewhat confused "What is this place? I can't see anywhere to shop!" Enter The Department Store? A multi-dimensional, three story complex, in the heart of Takapuna with Karen Walker, Blackbox, Stephen Marr, Flotsam & Jetsam and Michael Lett Gallery which in one fell swoop is addressing the lack of quality retail and artistic environment in Auckland's third largest city. Karen Walker is on a roll, having just opened her delightful Ponsonby Road store and Blackbox is already one of Auckland's most important fashion retailers. Stephen Marr is delivering a three-pronged offer; the hair salon, Lucy & The Powder Room and the Marr Lab, Flotsam & Jetsam are adding their unique cornucopia of goodies and Michael Lett, one of Auckland's most respected gallerys, a second North Shore option. All in all a brilliant retail concept. Recession? What recession...

Open now: The Department Store, Northcroft Street, Takapuna