Queenstown Retail Landscape Shifts as Two Iconic Stores Close

Queenstown faces a significant retail transformation as two well-known shops announce their impending closures. Boutique store Decode will close its doors at the end of the month after more than 20 years of operation, while acclaimed Kiwi artist Ivan Clarke plans to shut his gallery in a few months. These closures follow the recent exit of DFS Group’s luxury T Galleria store, which vacated two floors of the redeveloped O’Connells building in September.

The shifting retail environment in Queenstown has raised concerns among local business owners. The large store Torpedo7, located near Clarke’s gallery and fronting Camp, Shotover, and Athol Streets, is also set to close in February. The closures reflect ongoing economic challenges impacting the district and the changing dynamics of consumer behavior.

Decode’s director, Shelley Alexander, noted that the decision to close came in response to increasing economic pressures and high lease costs. “We’ve had to downscale in response to the economic times, and given the size of our store, that just didn’t correlate with the downtown lease costs any more,” she explained. Alexander also mentioned a noticeable decline in local customers visiting downtown Queenstown, citing persistent issues such as parking difficulties and traffic congestion.

The loss of independently-owned stores is a source of disappointment for Alexander, who believes that these boutiques contribute to the unique character of the area. “I think people enjoy the individuality of boutiques, and, yes, it’s the changing nature of downtown Queenstown, unfortunately,” she added.

Ivan Clarke expressed a similar sentiment regarding his gallery, which features both his paintings and artworks from Lonely Dog. While he praised the quality of his gallery space in The Forge building—calling it “one of the best gallery spaces in the whole town”—he acknowledged that sales have not kept pace with increased visitor traffic. “We’re going to simplify and take our [Bob’s Cove] home gallery up a few notches,” he said, indicating a shift in focus for his business.

Despite the challenges, Clarke remains optimistic about the support from his landlord and the potential for his home gallery. “The Forge building’s been great, and my landlord’s been supportive,” he noted. Yet, he emphasized that even as foot traffic has increased, the overall sales figures reflect broader trends affecting many businesses in the area.

As Queenstown’s retail landscape continues to evolve, the closures of Decode and Clarke’s gallery highlight the ongoing challenges faced by local businesses. With economic factors and changing consumer habits at play, the future of retail in this iconic tourist destination remains uncertain.