Kiwi shoe firm Minnie Cooper winding up operations after 30 years in business

Minnie Cooper founder Sandy Cooper photographed in 2011. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Auckland shoemaker Minnie Cooper is closing its factory and shop.

The boutique Kiwi company, which has been running for 30 years, made the announcement on its Facebook page.

Its Avondale factory will close in mid-April and its store located on the same property will close permanently a month later in May.

In a Facebook post, Minnie Cooper said it had "had an amazing time over the last thirty years ... but times are tough for small business."

Minnie Cooper has closed a number of stores over the past five years, including in Ponsonby in Auckland, and Wellington in June 2015. It closed its Christchurch store in 2014.

Company founder and owner Sandy Cooper confirmed she would be winding up the business.

She said the company will sell the rest of its stock through its online shop and then close the website.

Cooper did not have anything to add but said she found it ghastly that offshore retailers could get away without paying their fair share of GST.

First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson said the retailer had been dialling back its operations for a number of years.

Kiwi company Minnie Cooper is winding up its operations after 30 years in business. Photo / Facebook

"It was a brand that established a unique niche in the market during the 90's and has held many of those customers since, however I'm not certain younger consumers have had that same passion and following," Wilkinson said.

"It's a gentle exit from a market that's changed lots since they were at their peak."

Minnie Cooper began in 1989.