Once a largely drab, industrial precinct in the heart of Grey Lynn, Westmoreland Street is now a thriving hub of boutique retail, wellness and dining establishments that locals love.
Here’s the low down on some of the Ponsonby News team’s favourite Westmoreland Street spots, in no particular order…
Farro Fresh
A New Zealand owned and operated business, Farro began on Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington, but feels like it’s been a part of Grey Lynn and Ponsonby life forever. The entire team at Farro love to cook and are constantly being inspired by new ingredients, new ideas, and exciting recipes – and it shows. They provide seasonal recipes across the store that tie in with always unique monthly themes, and their in-house-designed magazine, Feast, is always a great source of information and inspiration for foodies and family meals alike.
Ozone Coffee Roasters
The dining spot that was named the most when I interviewed famous locals about where they love to meet friends for brunch, clients for coffee, or relax over a leisurely lunch, Ozone Coffee Roasters in the Scrap Yard on Westmoreland Street is always a good time. I love that Ozone makes sure that the values of sustainability and encouraging a vibrant community are apparent at every touch point, with ethically sourced coffee beans, seasonal ingredients and produce, a recycling program, and staff who are always there to help.
Corcovado
Also in the Scrap Yard, serene Corcovado aims to offer a retreat from the noise and stress of the outside world. It’s a beautiful store where natural, sustainable materials are celebrated and the work of human hands acknowledged. They consciously choose to work with, and support, other small New Zealand businesses, local manufacturers and talented New Zealand artisans, including in the making of their sought-after sofas and arm chairs.
Base Camp Power Yoga
A local yoga hotspot despite being open just a couple of years, Basecamp is a place where a variety of talented teachers invite you to cultivate power and strength in your body. Their name was inspired by mountains, with a solid and wide base where you reach up into the world, and Basecamp was designed to be a “meeting place to climb life together without any perceived limitation”. With a solid foundation, possibilities are endless.
Commune
A high quality, inclusive hair studio in the Scrap Yard, Commune is proud of the fact that they do things a little differently than most other salons. Founder Leigh Keepa is passionate about challenging social constructs of beauty ideals and of what is masculine/feminine, and the genderless price list is based on the stylist/colourist experience, skill set, the time and products used to create your look. At Commune the team of professionals like to strip back the labels that categorise and divide us, instead valuing each individual for who they are.
Tim Webber Design
A design house also in the Scrap Yard, Tim Webber Design offers an extensive range of contemporary furnishings for the modern home and office environment. Designer Tim Webber defines his unique aesthetic through a focus on functionality, clean lines, carefully considered details and a simplistic beauty, and the store also partners with innovative and coveted European brands like Bensen, Ondaretta and Menu to bring exclusive and unique furniture pieces to New Zealand.
Thread Design
From its colourful shop front on Richmond Road to its super helpful retail specialists, Thread Design is Grey Lynn-based but in demand around the world. They create beautiful bed linen and homewares right here in New Zealand that are sold globally, and they are also the proud stockists of a range of premium brands and products to suit a range of signature styles.
Homage
Always a must-visit, Homage is a treasure trove of cool finds. Classic, eclectic, and a little bit tongue and cheek, Homage sources satisfying objects from around the globe at approachable prices, and the team likes to mix iconic mid-century pieces with genuine vintage and so much more. Chances are you’ll pop in for statement cushion and leave with a corner suite, the offering is that enticing.
Tonic Tile Lounge
With a boutique designer showroom next door to Homage and Bauhaus, Tonic Tile Lounge offers a unique experience in comparison to many other tile stores. An intimate, lounge-like atmosphere leads to a relaxing personal selection experience, and the offering is vast. You’ll be led through the process of selecting from some of the most highly respected names in the industry, with Tonic Tile Lounge’s supply chain spread throughout Italy and Spain. Completely premium from start to finish – there’s a reason local interiors specialists keep coming back for more.
Bread & Butter Bakery and Cafe
First and foremost a bakery, Bread & Butter Bakery and Café also serves stellar breakfast, brunch and lunch options alongside their takeaway offering. With a true passion for bread, the bakery team only uses ingredients grown using sustainable farming practices. All of their flours, seeds and other bread ingredients are either certified organic or certified sustainable, meaning they are grown using regenerative agricultural principles. They also do not use any artificial ingredients, no emulsifiers, preservatives, baking enzymes, artificial flavours, colours, dough conditioners or other ‘technical’ ingredients, and you really can taste the difference. Whether people are popping in for a coffee and brunch or just swinging by for a loaf, Bread & Butter Bakery and Café is always bustling.
Città Design
Next door to Bread & Butter Bakery, Città is a New Zealand design company that creates furniture, lighting, textiles, and accessories to shape living spaces. From homewares to loungewear, linens, and more, Città is also a great spot for picking up gifts, or just gifts to self. Their offering also changes with the season, so you can always rest assured that after a visit to Città, you will never leave empty handed.
Hana
Founded by the always glowing Sara Higgins, HANA in Grey Lynn is my spot of choice for rest and recovery and where I aim to show up once a week and give my body and mind a little love. The main attraction for many at HANA is the private infrared saunas that can be booked for up to 45 minutes, as well as PBM (photobiomodulation) Light Pods and contrast therapy via a designated infrared sauna and ice bath treatment room. The space also houses a variety of holistic practitioners and a selection of carefully curated retail products to ensure an experience that caters to your whole being.
Bauhaus Furniture
Bauhaus Furniture is a family business with two stores in Auckland. Bauhaus offers minimalist, contemporary furniture for New Zealand homes. Their collections are sourced from award-winning designers and craftsmen, both locally and abroad to meet the tastes of interior designers and homemakers alike. Their range is timeless and beautiful - Stocking a selection of the world’s best contemporary designer furniture, they hand-pick brands passionate about quality craftsmanship, enduring aesthetics and superb functionality. (HELENE RAVLICH)
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Published 4 March 2022