Trade Aid may have looked like it wasn’t in business anymore but a recent renovation and new shop-fitout has given the store a new lease of life.
The Covid disruptions have seen the shop shut during lockdown and another extended closure due to the recent Auckland restrictions.
Like many businesses, Trade Aid stores across the country have struggled due to the pandemic and a closure of an Auckland store meant a gift of updated shop fittings for the Whaingaroa store.
Trade Aid Whaingaroa manager Eloise Rowe says even though the store renovations and fit-out have come with a tinge of sadness she’s pleased for the Raglan store which was looking a bit tired.
“I feel really sad for our sister store not to have survived the lockdown but it’s an awesome opportunity to breathe some new life into our store.”
It wasn’t to be all smooth sailing for the makeover with the grand opening, which was scheduled for August, postponed until Auckland came out of Alert Level 3.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to pick up the new store fixtures and fittings from Auckland to complete the new look, so the grand opening as advertised had to be rescheduled,” Eloise says.
A Trade Aid pop-up shop was quickly set up to provide the community with access to some Trade Aid essentials, while Eloise waited for Auckland restrictions to be lifted.
Now that Aucklandis at Alert Level 2.5, the green light has been given to collect the updated fittings and complete the renovations.
The shop will open for business on Wednesday, September 9 and the grand opening will be on Saturday, September 12.
Eloise is looking forward to welcoming new and old customers into the new-look store.
“I can’t wait to open the doors to our refreshed and renovated shop, and to get feedback from our customers.”
As a celebration of the makeover, Eloise is giving away a Trade Aid chocolate bar with every $20 purchase and a mask with every $50 purchase during the Saturday grand opening.
“One of our shop volunteers Elaine made the masks and donated them to Trade Aid. We are pleased to be able to give away something that has become an essential part of our lives.”
Trade Aid Whaingaroa has been delivering the fair trade message and products to Raglan for more than 30 years.
The last time the store had a makeover was around 13 years ago.
Trade Aid on Bow St is open 7 days from 9.30am-4.30pm.
Janine Jackson
