Central
shopping

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.

At the helm are Dida and Erin, two individuals whose love for florals is only matched by their knack for bringing people together. Add to the mix their resident mascot (a mastiff border collie cross named Boy), and you’ve got the heart and soul of a place that’s as much about the banter as it is about the blooms. Drag your eyes away from the creative window displays and the store’s aesthetic is a striking blend of untamed natural beauty and thoughtful design. Plentiful greenery cascades from wooden shelves and hanging pots, creating a botanical haven that feels calming to the soul. The choice of wooden accents and earth-toned decor seamlessly marries the store’s urban setting with a rustic, wild charm.

Here, you have permission to lose yourself in all things eclectic and colourful, celebrating the true meaning of New Zealand-made art, crafts and treasures.Founder Lisa Voigt’s vision for the gallery was to “create a haven where people could come to appreciate a melting pot of New Zealand art and design.” It’s safe to say she’s absolutely nailed that.Upon entry, your eyes are spoiled for choice, with a range of paintings, glasswork, prints, ceramics and jewellery (and much more) to peruse. You’ll spot favourites from established Kiwi creatives as well as up-and-coming artists.

In addition to the number of keen buyers and sellers, it’s the city’s security measures that are working in its favour, according to owner owner Henrik Stovring.Some buyers and sellers have embraced the concept of an offline Facebook-like marketplace and 163 stalls have popped up since it opened on May 1 yet there’s still space for another 400 to 600 stalls.