OLD schoolfriends turned business partners are opening Zinga Design in Kuripuni.
Megan Young and Jo Cudmore have known each other since their days at St Matthew's Collegiate and are now joint owners of an interior design and jewellery store planned to open in October at builder Dave Borman's Kuripuni development.
All the
stores will complement each other, said interior decorator Mrs Cudmore, who chose the colours for the other buildings owned by Mr Borman in Kuripuni.
"Dave has been a great landlord and has let us have quite a bit of input with the building. It's fantastic what he is doing here."
After growing up in Wairarapa, Mrs Cudmore has spent time in Wellington and several years in Australia before returning to Masterton, she said.
"The progress in Kuripuni over the past few months is huge."
Seeking products for the store and fabrics from Auckland suppliers is keeping them both busy at the moment, she said.
"We will have a range of things like fabric samples, homeware, jewellery and furniture. We are having furniture made especially for the store but a lot of our stuff will be more timeless pieces."
Renowned jewellery-maker Ms Young was looking for retail space when she was told about the Kuripuni development, she said.
"I spoke with Dave about it and was really enthusiastic about his plans. I approached Jo about coming in with me because I have a great respect for her taste and sense of style."
Masterton has been in need of some boutique-style stores and now it's happening, she said.
"Who would have thought it would happen in Kuripuni?"
After spending time in Christchurch working on interior decorating with family, it's a newfound passion, she said.
"I'm more into interior design than jewellery at the moment as I haven't had time to make any for ages.
"I need to lock myself away and take the phone off the hook for a few weeks so I can concentrate on getting some stuff made for the store."
It's exciting times for the artistic pair who want to provide a range of wonderful things for the town, she said.
"The aim is to have a shop like no other in Wairarapa."
