New Businesses and Activities
If you haven’t been to Wanaka for a while (which is probably very likely considering the worldwide situation due to the ‘C’ word), then you are probably unaware of what has opened up here in the past year. Apart from the large developments out at Three Parks, including a big flash New World supermarket and an enormous brand, spanking new Mitre 10 MEGA, there have been a few extra additions to this beautiful little town in the South Island of New Zealand.
The Precinct
This exciting new retail development in the middle of town has been introducing new businesses constantly for the past 12 months. Deval and Revology take front row in this modern, stylish building, Deval a top fashion boutique featuring high end clothing labels and Revology Concept Store, who dedicate their store to sustainable living and feature products which promote this. As well as these chic shops, The Precinct also offers:
Wee Tart – Coffee Shop & Milk Bar
Cakes of Wanaka
Alice Herald Jewellery
Ukiyo Salon & Co.
The Green Room Plant Collective
Fearless
This new clothing store in Wanaka features women’s luxury athletic wear, accessories and all gear to support health and well-being. They stock brands such as lilybod, KORAL and NOLI. Fearless is located on the main street and is full of funky, stylish clothing with something for everyone from bold patterns to simple designs. Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for comfortable active wear which is sustainable, luxurious, ethical and fashionable.
Fresh Link
Fresh Link has been around for a few years now, but recently they have moved in to new, larger premises, which means they can offer a whole lot more. Bulk buying is the way forward to reduce waste into landfill and this is exactly what Fresh Link is doing. Not only that, everything is a wholefood, no processed rubbish here! So for all you health conscious people out there, make sure you have a look at Fresh Link’s new shop which is located on Anderson Road, where you can stock up on lots of yummy food. While you are at it, you can grab a coffee/smoothie bowl/sweet treat from their locally famous food truck – The Dripping Bowl.
Scroggin
A new cafe in town to get your coffee and breakfast fix, Scroggin is located next door to Tussocks and part of The Wanaka Hotel on Ardmore Street. Newly renovated, this location has been a number of hospitality businesses with the latest being Scroggin and this looks like a keeper. The interiors are light and inviting and the food is delicious and healthy. The coffee is a winner too! It is always nice to have another cafe choice in Wanaka, especially when the food is so good.
Boh & Ivy
Boh & Ivy is an interior design studio on the main street in Wanaka. The space is set up with gorgeous furniture and soft furnishings, featuring french linen and velvet. If you are looking for ideas for your home this is a great place to wander around on your next trip to Wanaka.
Ground Up
Adding to the other local breweries who have opened their doors to the public, Ground Up have joined the pack by creating a bar with indoor and outdoor seating for all their craft beer followers. Located on Gordon Road along from Rhyme and Reason, Ground Up offer an array of delicious locally crafted beer as well as soft drinks for the kids and sober drivers. The Burrito Craft has set up a food truck there if you are feeling peckish and don’t forget to pick up some merch if you are here visiting.
The Next Chapter
You have probably seen and heard of Cinema Paradiso but have you seen and heard of The Next Chapter? This little architectural box building in front of Paradiso appeared late last year with whispers around town of what it may become. The little, funky building turned out to be a book shop called The Next Chapter. This intimate, independent bookshop is a perfect place for bookworms to wile away the day.
Wanaka Skatepark Extension
If you love to skate or scoot, then you will be pleased to hear that Wanaka Skatepark has extended. Located central to Wanaka with great lake and mountain views, the skatepark is a real hit with the locals and visitors. Now bigger and better than it was, it is a great place to drop the skaters of the family off, while you pop across the road for a coffee.
So, while the world is struggling to keep afloat, Wanaka is keeping its head above water and the proof is in these businesses who are pushing forward. I don’t think it will be too long until the next ‘What’s New In Wanaka’ blog. There are innovative new businesses popping up everywhere.
I guess this leads back to the whole ‘Shop Local’ concept. Wanaka has a tight-knit community who look out for each other and welcomes everyone with open arms.
Here at Release Wanaka, we encourage our guests to ‘live like a local’ and we can help with this by sharing our local insiders knowledge. Wanaka is an awesome place to visit with plenty to do and see, but with a laid back vibe. It provides an easy, relaxing holiday that we all need sometimes.
Need luxury Wanaka holiday accommodation? Get in touch: 021 762 694, email us: stay@releasenz.com or contact us here.