Shop succumbs to rentals

Greymouth antique and second-hand store Recollections is the latest casualty of skyrocketing land rentals.
The Mawhera Quay business will close down on Saturday, after running its final sale.
Jan and Alan Blair have owned the business for nearly a decade, starting in Mackay Street before moving to larger premises on the quay six years ago.
Mrs Blair said the Mawhera Incorporation rentals were to blame.
“We have low profit margins so there was no way for us to absorb the extra cost.”
Mr Blair said they had tried to negotiate with the incorporation but were offered mediation only yesterday.
“That’s too late, especially after a year and a half asking for it.”

Mr Blair will keep working as a builder while his wife focuses on selling their remaining goods over the internet.
“These kind of stores are a dying type of shop,” he said.