'End of an era': Shoppers mourn Smith & Caughey's closure after 145 years
Photo:
RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Shoppers in Auckland are mourning the closure of Smith & Caughey's department store on Queen Street.
On Wednesday, the
business announced it would be shutting down
after 145 years.
Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck said the situation was devastating.
"It's very sad for the family, the staff, and a major loss for Queen Street."
She said once the City Rail Link opened, the building would be in a great location.
But as well as ongoing construction work, she said Auckland Council and Auckland Transport limiting vehicle access on the street was making it harder for businesses in the area to survive.
"We've already lost around 44 percent of the cars coming in during the morning peak since 2015 and yet there's a fine for people going into a stretch of Queen Street just by Smith & Caughey's.
"We know people for instance with disabilities can't get through that stretch to get to Smith & Caughey's.
"It's also our night time entertainment area. These decisions are not grounded in common sense or economic viability and we've been appealing to transport and council to do something. This has to be a wake-up call for them."
Waitematā and Gulf Ward councillor, Mike Lee, agreed AT and the council were partly to blame for Smith & Caughey's demise.
He said it was gutting to see the "commercial life being squeezed out" of the once thriving street.
"This [the store's closure] is a massive body blow for Queen Street and the viability of retail and the whole social ambience.
"Smith & Caughey's have bravely battled on for years now, but this forever construction, forever disruption, perceived lack of safety, the filthy streets, all of that is a turn-off for shoppers."
One shopper RNZ spoke to, Jane Etheridge, said she was devastated to see the end of the store's famous Christmas display and Santa's Grotto.
"It's unbelievably sad. It's been around for such a long time and is part of New Zealand's heritage. It's one of the few heritage brands we have.
"I grew up coming here every Christmas looking at the window displays and coming to the grotto. I bring my children here and there's not anything else like it."
Meredith Townsley Fenton said it was a shame given the store's long history.
"It's the end of an era. I was talking to one of the staff members and her mother brought her bridal lingerie there in the 1920s.
"All of Queen Street has really changed."
Some people including Allan Fitzgerald had noticed a declining number of people in the area.
"My wife and I, my mother, and grandmother all used to shop here.
"I look around and where are the cars? Where are the people? They're not carrying shopping bags.
"It's really disappointing. But I fully understand why they're having to close."
The future of the partially heritage-protected building owned by private shareholders is unknown.
Auckland Council said it did not want to speculate on what it would be used for.
Smith & Caughey's declined to comment.
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