Masterton shop owners await move

READY TO GO: Yvonne Etherington outside the Daniell's Building in Queen Street, Masterton.PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

More than a week on from the 6.2 quake that shook Wairarapa, retailers in the Daniell's Building are still yet to move.

The three-storey building in Queen St, which was occupied by residential tenants on the two upper levels and four retailers on the ground floor, was declared dangerous following the earthquake and is set to be demolished, meaning the retailers will have to find alternative accommodation.

All shops were closed to the public yesterday - and had been since the quake - but were still holding stock while the tenants find new locations.

Owner of Yvonne's Kidswear, Yvonne Etherington, said she had been in the shop for 18 years and was finding it difficult not being able to trade.

"I miss my shop because it makes me get out of my bed in the morning ... I'm [losing money] but that's just one of those things and you just hope that the town supports you when you do open.

"I'm up in the air at the moment because I'm not quite sure which shop I'm going in, or where I'm going."

She said former Masterton mayor and the owner of the building, Garry Daniell, was assisting her and she was hoping to move into the old Mitre 10 building across the road, also owned by Mr Daniell.

Neighbour Val Persico, owner of Fashion Formal Connection Hire, said she had been working from home since the quake but was also hoping to move across the road later this year.

"I'm still operating, so I'm not in a hurry. I'm just missing the foot traffic, that's all," Ms Persico said.

She said Mr Daniell had been "wonderful", providing transport and removalists to move some of her stock from the building and was now drawing up plans to renovate the former Mitre 10 building.

Mr Daniell declined to comment.