North Canterbury News: August 12, 2021

BLACKWELLS CELEBRATING 150 YEARS
North Canterbury News, August 12, 2021
Aman of vision and fortitude
David Blackwellenvisaged Kaiapoi
becomingadestination once its main
centre had amakeover following the
2010­2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
His visionhas become areality.
Mr Blackwell,who died on September
20, 2019, lived in Kaiapoi all his life and
spent 47 years running the family­owned,
Blackwell’s Department Store.
He championed the courage and
fortitudeofthe town’speople,and the
Waimakariri District Council after the
quakes,for ensuringnew life was breathed
intoretailing in the riverside town.
Thisinturn wouldbringpeople to the
riversidetown to enjoyits facilities, the
shopping, the river and the walkways,he
toldthe NorthCanterbury News in June,
2016.
The devastation left behindafter the
September 4, 2010 earthquake was new to
everyone.
‘‘Itwas largely anew experience.
‘‘Ithad neverhappened in my lifetime
and it was ahuge tasktoget things running
again,’’ Mr Blackwell saidduring the
interview.
The Blackwell building was one thatgot
‘‘whacked’’ by the earthquakes and along
withother businesses got downtothe task
of rebuilding pretty quickly.
Whenthe February earthquake struck
in 2011itwas time for the building to go,
and while theBlackwell’s rebuildbegan
quite earlyinthe piece, Mr Blackwell said
Andrew and JackiePalmer at New World,
Lindsay Petersatthe MandevilleTavern,a
block of shopsowned by Jedd Pearce and
the Charles Street Medical Centre alsogot
up and ‘‘cracking’’.
‘‘Ittook confidence in the future of the
townas800 houses were lost to the
earthquakes ­1000 if you include Pines
Beach ­whichequated to aloss of
consumers.Ittook fortitude to riseout of
the shambles and getupand get going,’’ he
says.
Visionary ... David Blackwell who spent 47 years running the family­owned Blackwell’s
Department Store. Photo: File
He paid tribute to the loyaltyofKaiapoi
and country customers.
‘‘We wereable to keepgoing in
temporarypremises and we are very
gratefulfor the loyalty. You can not run a
business without customers,’’ said Mr
Blackwell.
No staff at the store had to be laid off, Mr
Blackwellsaid.
The worktorebuild Kaiapoi’s hearthad
been ‘‘outstanding’.
‘‘It is change for the better, but it has not
changed thelayout of the streets in
Kaiapoi,’’hesaid.
TheAuctioneers
27
Auctions everyThursday at 11am
Specialists in Antiques and General Goods
Items for Auction accepted on Friday
38 Charles Street,Kaiapoi • Ph: 03 327 8875
www.bellsauctions.co.nz
1965434
PLASTERER
Matt Smith
PAINT FINISH • CORNICE
• GIB COVE
New Homes, Renovations
and Extensions
FREE QUOTES
Ph 027 436 1112
www.mattsmithplastering.co.nz
2324007
Bookings Essential
•Cars, Trailers &Motorbikes
•4WD specialists
•All mechanical repairs
•Brakes and clutches
•Lube services
•Servicing Air Conditioning
•All makes and models
•Professional friendly service
Congratulations to
Blackwell’s Department
Store on 150 years
183 Ohoka Road
Kaiapoi
Ph: 327 8780
www.kaiapoiautomotiveservices.co.nz
2404528
TURN YOUR DREAM
INTOAREALITY
EST. 1988
Kaiapoi
North
School
congratulates
Blackwells on their
150 th anniversary and
appreciates their
ongoing positive support
of our school community.
278 WilliamsStreet, Kaiapoi
Phone 03 3278803
office@kaiapoinorth.school.nz
www.kaiapoinorth.school.nz
2404525
CONGRATULATIONS
TO BLACKWELLS
DEPARTMENT STORE
ON 150 YEARS!
At Misco Joinery we will work with
you to take your joinery project
from concept to completion.
62 Williams Street, Kaiapoi 7630
03 383 4384 |www.misco.co.nz
Blakeley’s of Kaiapoi congratulates
Blackwell’s DeptStore on 150 years
Find it hard
to get out of
your chair?
These stunning chairs
have a practical, high
19” seat, making them
easy to get out of.
Available now from our showroom or in your
choice of fabric.
Blakeleys
of Kaiapoi
Specialist in
Traditional and
ModernNew
Zealand made
furniture and
MoorcroftPottery
from England.
Phone: 03 327 8161
117-119 Williams St, Kaiapoi
Mon-Fri: 9am -5.30pm Sat: 10am -2pm
www.blakeleysofkaiapoi.co.nz
2406558
2376490
Youare warmly invited to contact Wendy at our Office
to meet our Principal Trish McKendry, and have a
guided tour of our Catholic school.
We have just completed asuccessful renovation
project of all of our classroom spaces into attractive,
inviting places to learn.
We offer acaring and supportive learning
environment which caters for individual learning
styles, offers arange of different learning
programmes, before and after school care and a
dedicated Intermediate School for Year 7&8students.
We also have asmall number of places available for
children who are not Catholic. We look forward to
meeting you and your family.
Address: 61 Fuller St, Kaiapoi Email: office@stpatkai.school.nz
Phone: 03 327 7700 Website: www.stpatkai.school.nz