North Canterbury News: August 12, 2021

Celebration time
Blackwell’sDepartment storein
Kaiapoi willfocus on the past andits
future during its150 year
celebration next month.
Staff will dress in period costume,
and amuseum,showcasing
memorabilia, photosand equipment
frombygone days, willbeset upin
storeforpeopletoview during the
week of September 6to12.
There will be afashion show on
September 9, from 5pm until 8pm,a
bestdressed competition, prizes,
beverages and nibbles.
To celebrate theretailing
milestone there will be in­store
specials, and agift withsome
purchases.
The family­owned business is
proud of itspast, andexcited about
the future.
New season’s stock is arriving
dailyin­store, with alldepartments
having new brands.
Alot of work has gone into
selecting this summers range,
expanding on currentbrands and
introducing more.
Blackwell’shas focusedits
selectionsonquality,value, being
Decades of change
From Page 22
David Blackwell joined the team in 1948,
after workingatBeaths and Co
Department Store in Christchurch.
During his time, Blackwellsadded and
built up the furnishing and furniture
sections.
After taking directorship from his
father Hugh, David ‘‘continued the
acumen and sincerity which has guided
the flagship for so long’’, Andrew
Blackwell says.
David Blackwell was actively involved
in the business for 71 yearsand handed
over the reigns tohis sons Andrew and
Michael Blackwell in 1993, although he
continued to take akeen interest in the
family business. He died in September,
2019, aged93.
Over the decades, Blackwells has
survived numerous challenges including
world wars, depressions, economic
downturn and floods.
George Blackwell would have never
expected the Canterbury earthquake of
2010 to all but demolish the store or
expected in 2020 apandemic would
close the store for an extended period
for the first time in 149 years.
Over the years Blackwellshas stayed
true to its traditional values of customer
service.
Blackwellscontinues to offer
customer accounts for convenience as it
did from the beginning.
relevant, and appealing to the wider
Canterbury community.
Ladieswear is awork in progress
andbySeptemberwillbefresh and
new, with new brands,updated
display units, and afocus on thenew
andexciting.
Menswear has had afaceliftwith
newbrands Garcia, Gazman, Blazer
andCrew arriving this summer to
complementthe current R.M
Williams, Levis, R.F Scott, John
Lennon, Artex brands, to name a
few.
Homeware has been expanded
andhas anew homein store, with
newbrands—Weave, Linens and
More andNZmerchants.
Footwearisexpanding, with
fabulous new brandsarriving.
BlackwellsDepartmentStoreis
excited aboutthe store being atrue
modern­day department store and
remaining true to its roots.
It will continue to have strong
linkstothelocal community through
supportinglocal community groups,
business association and service
groups,and community fundraising
initiatives.
Saturday trading was introduced in
1986, with the storeopening from 9.30am
to 12.30pm, and now until 4pm.
Thiswas amajor change back in the
1980s, so David Blackwell’s wifeJean
made freshscones for morning tea every
Saturday. MrsBlackwell’s famous
cheese scones were astaff favourite.
Sunday trading started when the store
reopened after the 2010 earthquakes.
Home delivery has always beenpart of
Blackwells’ customer service, from
horse andcart in the early days to
motorbike andsidecar, motor vehicle
and now avan for bigger purchases.
Personal customer serviceby
knowledgeable and long› serving staff is
another key to success, with one present
staff member having worked for the
family for more than 30 years.
Blackwells buyers constantly review
international trends and the needs of the
local North Canterbury market, which
has grown immenselyinthe past decade.
‘‘Six generations of the one family had
kept it going through fire, flood,
economic fluctuation and earthquake,’’
Colin Omodeo said.
It was, he said, quite arecord in its
own right, especially in the face of
corporate raiders and the development
of shopping malls,aswell as Farmers in
Rangiora.
‘‘You don’t often meet that kind of
record.’’
BLACKWELLS CELEBRATING 150 YEARS
North Canterbury News, August 12, 2021
2406556
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Centre inthe
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• Two smaller meeting rooms
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• All rooms equipped with
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“Proudly family
owned and operated
for 100 years”
We would like to congratulate
Blackwell’s on their 150 year
celebrations.
What an amazing milestone.
Well done and we wish you all the
very best for the future.
Book online www.northcanterbury.co.nz/business-centre
or phone 03 327 3135. 143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi.
23
• Free ultrafast Wi-Fi.
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• Full catering options.
• Free parking.
• Competitive hourly, half-day
and full-day rates.
The Kaiapoi i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
is the closest i-SITE to Christchurch Airport.
Drop in or phone the friendly team for travel advice,
itinerary ideas, and aFREEbookingservice for all
your travel, activities and accommodation.
143 Williams Street, Kaiapoi.
Open Monday-Friday in winter + Saturday in summer.
P: 03 327 3134 E: info@kaiapoivisitorcentre.co.nz
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Congratulations
to Blackwell’s
Dept Store on
150 years
61 Williams Street,Kaiapoi
Hours
8am –5pm weekdays,
9am –12noonSaturday
2406555
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