Opossum World is back

Lynette Jarvis, along with husband Ian, is the new owner of Opossum World, which opens Saturday at its Hastings St location.

When Garry and Jan Alve decided to start searching for someone to purchase their Opossum World business, no one was more surprised to find their hand in the air than Lynette Jarvis.

"We made the decision out of the blue," says Lynette of how she and husband Ian came to be the new owners.

"It wasn't something I'd ever saw myself doing."

Opossum World's Marine Parade location was shuttered in late July, but it will reopen at 106 Hastings St on Saturday, October 22, with Lynette and Ian now in charge.

Lorne Moa will still greet shoppers as they enter the shop, and the popular - and free - Bird Walk and possum displays have been retained, but the new owners have made some changes to a business that built its reputation with locals and visitors for its clothing lines that blend opossum fur with merino wool.

"I'm adding quite a lot of new product," says Lynette.

"There is also going to be more of a mix of clothes, with a greater selection of styles."

Lynette had a history with Opossum World - she worked Saturdays in the shop for 10 months - and so was directly affected when Garry and Jan opted to move on.

"When Garry said he was closing down, I thought, oh, that's really sad for all those people who love the possum display, especially children," she says.

"People were saying how devastated they were that such an icon was closing."

Having previously worked as an early childhood educator and counsellor, Lynette was happy with her part-time position because it gave her time to look after her granddaughter. But with the youngster about to start school, Lynette started to cast about for something else to do with her days.

Buying the Opossum World concept was perfect timing, even if it meant long hours of preparation.

"It's been a mission from go to whoa," she says of shifting stock and assorted stuffed critters into the new location.

"But I'm looking forward to the challenge."

As for the product itself, Lynette became a devotee the first time she tried on a cardigan in the shop.

"I was amazed at how nice it felt - so warm and light," she says.

"It was almost like, I liked the clothes so much, I bought the shop."

- Opossum World, 106 Hastings St (beside ASB bank). Grand opening 10am, Saturday, October 22, featuring balloon sculptor Twisty Trace.