The queen of beads, Nia Chesswas, is now open for business in her brightly coloured bead store, The Bead Hold, after an official opening on Saturday morning with a ribbon cutting.
Whanganui MP Chester Borrows was present, helping to cut the uniquely beaded ribbon at the official opening.
"While Stratfordis predominantly a rural service town it is not without a want for stores like The Bead Hold that offer arts and crafts," said Chester. He added the residents of a rural town don't all fit into one box, there is a want for a nice coffee and a space for them to be creative.
Nia says she is confident of the success of her business as for the past 18 months she has been running The Bead Hold through a website and prior to that had a shop front in Auckland for ten years. However, with her family based in Tututawa the commute became too difficult. "With young children it has been tricky running a bead business through the website and at home so it is nice to have a shop to work in again."
Mayor Neil Volzke also attended the opening on Saturday morning and says he was impressed with the unique store. "The rapid change and growth in internet marketing is well known. The Bead Hold is a great example of a successful boutique business, that has relocated to a small town and uses the internet to sell products to the whole of New Zealand. I wish Nia all the best with her venture."
Nia says The Bead Hold will be open from 10am to 2pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, with other times by appointment. "We have painted our door bright turquoise so that you can't miss us, if the door is open you are welcome to come in and have a look."
Nia says she has clients in Auckland and the Waikato who have already expressed interest in taking day trips to Stratford to check out the new store. "Hopefully spending time and money in other businesses too, enjoying all that our town has to offer."
"Stratford is a hub of activity in a lot of ways and I look forward to our future here on Broadway."
