09/10/2025
NEWSFLASH!
Well...Not so NEW news to locals and the Bush Telegraph 😄 but pretty exciting as it turns out.
The Shop in the Middle of Nowhere has moved from 17 Wakamarina Road to the Pelorus Tavern - Trout Hotel
It's been a privilege to be involved in breathing some life into the old shop for a year. It had sat there looking derelict and unloved for far too long!
A HUGE thank you to all the people that made it happen. Muzz and I had amazing support from the community, from setting up, to helping to fill the shop with a wide range of stock. It's been truly satisfying being able to promote local crafts in the shop, all of which has helped to put it on the map.
Bonnie and Podge, thanks so much for the sign which has been photographed more times than the statue of David's w***y and has been shared across social media all over the world!
Valda and family and staff at Pelorus Tavern have been absolutely amazing and completely unwavering in their support in so many ways. Your enthusiasm and passion for the shop is unmatched. Thank you so much. Because of everyone's involvement in so many ways, The Shop evolved into a captivating treasure trove of quirkiness, much loved by customers from far and wide who ranged from locals, campervanners from all over NZ, cyclists, motorcyclists, NZ and overseas tourists doing all the walking tracks, travelling salesmen and snake oil peddlers 🤣 You name it, we had such an eclectic customer base who often commented on the range of stock. Of course, you can't please everybody, and there are people who prefer to see only local crafts in there, people who don't like the cheaper range of clothing, or the unconventional, sometimes outright spicy items (and that wasn't just the BBQ seasoning 🤣) The bottom line is, customers love the variety! A lot of them tell us they come out for a drive specifically to visit the shop. That's pretty cool isn't it.
Because I was moving on, we had a small group of people willing to help out in the shop to support Muzz, but sadly, and here's the rub, the owners of the building didn't want certain people involved and expressed a number of concerns about different people coming in and out of the shop. We were given the option of only running it ourselves, without volunteers, or closing. So, like a phoenix from the ashes, a mini Shop in the Middle of Nowhere will be opening at the Pelorus Tavern and we're all very excited!
It's turned out to be a very positive outcome for everyone. Hopefully the old shop at No 17 won't stay vacant for long and some enterprising locals will find a way to turn it into another asset to the community! Imagine the possibilities! They're endless. Come on, community! Get your thinking caps on, and get a little business set up there. Please don't let it sit empty!
Move forward and be positive.
Don't hold grudges
Don't gossip
Smile! And laugh! I tried it and I promise it won't break your face
Be true to yourself. When you do that, magic happens ✨️ 😉
And most importantly, drink lots of Laurie's coffee. It's a lifesaver 🥰
