Time to shift as leases expire

Tauranga shop owners are grabbing the opportunity to relocate as annual leases come up for renewal, while new businesses are replacing those which have closed or shifted out of the CBD.
Some notable changes to the cityscape have occurred in Piccadilly Arcade, which links Devonport Rd and Grey St.
New business Gold Shine Jewels has moved into the arcade, and at least three others have moved location and another closed.
Women's clothing store Green Apples has moved to Spring St, leaving room for the Garment Alteration Salon to make the move a couple of shops closer to Devonport Rd.
After many years in business Bouquet Florist in the arcade has closed its doors, but this week a flurry of activity filled the empty shop space.
Therapy massage business Healthwise Body Worx has moved out of the arcade and on to Grey St.
Owner Rob McDonald said the business celebrated two years in the central city this week and the new location provided a higher profile for city office workers.
"People can see us now."
Also happy with a move within the city centre is Briarwood (formerly part of David Elman Shoes), which moved down Devonport Rd into the former Brewer's Den.
Staff member Lyn Chapman said the move had attracted new business.
"There's a lot of new customers that have never been into Briarwood before, a lot of people that didn't go up the top of town. I think it's the attraction of the position and a new shop in town," she said.
Meanwhile, MacPac assistant manger Steve Kennedy said customers had welcomed the arrival of the well-known brand to Devonport Rd. "It's going pretty good, there's plenty of support. Everyone's quite happy to see that we've popped up."
Tauranga downtown manager Kirby Weis said June and the late spring or summer were traditionally the times businesses grabbed the opportunity to try a new city location.
Mr Weis said while there may appear to be more empty shops around town, there was still a similar number, just in different locations.
Other new businesses in the CBD include RPM clothing store Square, which teamed with Spring St store Thanks, bringing two new destination stores to the city centre.
Internet and Gaming has also opened its door in the former ROW Gallery site on Wharf St.
Meanwhile, the axe has fallen on iconic Tauranga surf store Boardwalk in Red Square and Argento jewellery on Devonport Rd.
Mr Weis said ROW Gallery and Brewer's Den had both moved out of the city centre.
Meanwhile other businesses, including Cafe on Grey in Grey St, Table Pride in Devonport Rd and Tres Chic French Boutique in Spring St have all recently come under new ownership.