Old style thinking makes craft shop

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 318, 19 December 1989, Page 8 (Supplement)

Old style thinking makes craft shop

The tinkling of glass mobiles hanging above the sidewalk and the smell of leatherware introduces you to Raetihi's curious and exciting 'Clowns' craft shop. The craft shop is in a renovated old butcher's shop and has a warm, friendly atmosphere. The shelves are stocked solid with interesting pieces of brass, pottery, and canework. The shop has recently been extended to allow more display room. Early in

the new year owners Kristey and Rowena will be setting up a plant nursery at the rear of the shop. Kristey and Rowena moved to Raetihi from the Waipa Valley behind Te Kuiti after Kristey had been to the Waimarino on a six week log building trades course in Ohakune. Falling in love with the idea, and opportunity falling their way, they purchased the "Andersons" butcher shop" building and re-named it "Clowns." Clowns

seemed to have a happy joyous feeling behind it, says the couple. The secret behind the success of their shop is based on what Kristey calls "the old style way of thinking," where mark-ups are kept at a minimum and stock is fast moving. Kristey says that 50 per cent of his trade is through the tourists that pass through the town, mainly during the weekends. Most of them just browse but many end up with something to take home.