Doors to close on Variety #1 after 27 years

Pam and Ian Tothill are closing the doors of their Variety #1 retail outlets in Kamo and James St after 27 years. Photo / John Stone

One of Whangarei CBD's long-established businesses is to shut its doors when its lease expires next month.

Variety #1 co-owner Pam Tothill said the last few months had been an emotional rollercoaster for herself, her husband, staff and the many people who had supported the business over the years.

"It's been overwhelming - the business had been wonderful for us but we didn't expect the supportive reaction from our customers that we have had."

Pam and Ian Tothill opened Variety #1 in Kamo in 1989 and then their second branch in Whangarei's James St early the following year.

Ian had been an agricultural contractor and Pam was a teacher but they wanted a change.

"We knew nothing about retailing but the shop just took off - it was so popular."

She said she had watched the number of owner/operators in the CBD shrink over the last few years as the impact of the Okara development hit home.

She said until that had happened, Variety #1 had managed to weather troubled times, like the GFC, and done well in the good times.

"In the halcyon days - about four to five years ago - we employed 12 staff plus Ian and I but, by the start of this year, we were down to two full-time staff and one part-timer."

They still have two full-time staff in the Kamo shop which will close at the end of May. The James St store will close when the majority of stock has been sold.

Mrs Tothill said most of the store's former staff had found other employment.

She said the laneway being closed for six months had been "huge for our turnover, but the biggest impact on us was the arrival of Kmart."

However, Mrs Tothill wanted to emphasise the benefit of living and doing business in Whangarei.

"It's an amazing place to live in - we've done well as business people and we thank our customers for that, and I do see a positive future for the city. I think the next wave of young entrepreneurs will come in and change the focus of the CBD."

The pair are going to take some time out to travel and are also considering part-time jobs. "We're not ready to retire yet," she said.

- If you have any business news, tips or ideas contact me at biz@northernadvocate.co.nz or (09) 470 2838.