Shopping

Quality secondhand books adorn the shelves, and old singer sewing machines, typewriters and comfy leather chairs lend themselves to the somewhat nostalgic atmosphere. The books feel well-loved and well-thumbed, and the head high bookshelves will keep you entertained for hours.A particularly impressive display of craftsmanship is the towering bookcase located right next to the entrance, where the mystery remains as to what would happen if someone fancied a novel right at the top.

This little lane between Barton and Anglesea Streets is bursting with treasures, and with 17 locally-owned stores there’ll be something that catches your eye, no matter your interests. Bit of a bibliophile? Poppies Bookstore has got you covered. Is fashion your forte? Sills and Co are NZ fashion designers with luxurious wardrobe staples in store, while Zebrano sources fashion-forward plus-sized pieces. If indulging in jewellery is more your thing, Midas Diamond Jewellers offers a stunning collection of ready-made jewels, as well as the option to customise one of your own.

A few steps inside Harper Inc and you know you’re in dangerous territory... Dangerous because you’ll find yourself amongst some of the most beautiful contemporary fashion in New Zealand at the moment, where leaving empty-handed is a very hard thing to do.Proud to be a small family business, the mother-daughter duo involved are true shopaholics themselves and thought it only right to bring their passion to the streets of Hamilton. In the store, you’ll find a heap of products from well-known designers from NZ as well as across the Tasman.

A humming place due to the atmosphere as much as the buzzing machines, Flax Roots Tattoo is a Hamilton institution for those wanting to add to, or purchase their very first tattoo. Paintings, prints and sculptures plaster the walls from entrance to studio, and there’s no doubting the Māori influence here with proud depictions of the ancient art at every turn. Eclectic and creative, the space mixes a sense of mastery with fun, and it seems there’s truly no quirky design the team wouldn’t be able to do.

Tucked away on London Street, this store showcases designer brands from all around the globe as well as clever designs from our very own shores. Aptly named, the boutique was established by sisters Julie and Claire in 2008, whose love of fashion and individuality led them to open a boutique where other locals could visit, be inspired, and perhaps leave with a stylish new piece for their wardrobe. Big fashion names like Sass & Bide, Zimmermann, Karen Walker and Miss Crabb fill hangers and racks, as do bags by Deadly Ponies, The Wolf Gang and Status Anxiety, candles by Damselfly, and jewellery by Meadowlark and Stolen Girlfriends Club, to name a few.

The kind of place that almost gives you the shudders it’s THAT beautiful, this Hamilton store goes on to prove that shopping at RUBY is always an experience. How to say no to those stunning long dresses? Those fun, bright shoes? The fantastic floral earrings? We say: don’t bother trying to refuse. A visit to RUBY is as much about topping up your wardrobe with some envy-inducing clothing items as it is about supporting a tried and true New Zealand label that has always stuck to its values.

The only one of its kind in town, this bright curated store is a gentleman’s space through and through. Beer crates are used as shelving, and an old arcade machine tucks in amongst the clothes, while the place itself is staffed by laid-back dudes happy to help you pick out your next piece.Hamilton local and store owner Blair, has more than ten years experience in the street wear industry and started his own version after seeing the continued demand for sleek, sophisticated clothes for men.

Trek ‘n’ Travel prides itself on the best quality equipment and clothing for tramping, trail running and travel - this specialist independent store is one of the last of its kind. Open since 1997, the Victoria Street mainstay has attracted faithful locals since day one and welcomes many Waikato out-of-towners through its door too. Store owner Colin spent time travelling the country before settling in Hamilton, and artefacts from his travels (and those of others) can be found perching on shelves around the store.

True is connecting the dots between Hamilton and the wider fashion world, with friendly service and a particularly sharp eye for warm colours, rich fabrics and high-quality clothing. The boutique opened in March 2017 as one woman’s dream to put some more goodness in this developing city and is now part of a close network of retailers who pride themselves on fine clothing and goods.True’s range of beautiful, ethical European labels is carefully laid out and arranged to help you curate your look with timeless style.

Sustainability is the word on everyone’s lips at the moment, and the small changes we can make to keep our country clean, green and free from pollution are paramount. To put it plainly: beating the heavy city traffic on a good ol’ electric pair of wheels seems like a bloody good idea. Enter: Electrify. Without even planning it, Dee and Dan Tairaki started their journey with electric bikes on “Car Free Day”. From the humble Kiwi beginnings of a marquee and a couple of bikes to a 200m² building, the popularity for e-bikes is growing as people come from all over for the team’s willingness to give honest and helpful advice (without the sales pitch).

We all know what it’s like to try on (what feels like) millions of jeans in a shop until you inevitably leave feeling frustrated and hopeless. Thankfully, Texas Radio is here to change that. This is a true denim speciality shop (there’s only a handful left in the country!). They carry as many as 25 brands - including the classic and coveted Levi 501s - so you’re sure to find a pair of jeans that suit your figure. The passionate and knowledgeable staff make you feel right at home while they get to work finding you the ideal fit for your preferences and body type.

This co-operative store brings together eight passionate collectors, each offering their own carefully curated collections to the community. From records and decor to rare memorabilia, there is a diverse and ever-changing mix of items for passionate collectors and curious shoppers alike.The idea for Fossick was born from a group of friends with extensive collections looking for a way to sell their items. By pooling resources and sharing responsibilities, they were able to ensure consistent hours in its first year of opening, one of the keys to Fossick’s initial success.

HANRAD is a creative space where founder Barry and his team work with their clients to create rugs that are truly unique to them. To some, rugs are just rugs, but at HANRAD each rug is bespoke, a work of art. The concept is simple: each client experiences an individual journey to arrive at the perfect rug, and whether it’s an art inspired design or one of HANRAD’s in-house designs, each rug can be customised to the ideal size, shape or colour.Barry’s inspiration for design stems from his love of art and, in particular, contemporary art. Previously based in Beijing for 10 years, Barry worked on exciting interior design projects, sourcing inspirational design solutions.