Please tell us the back story about Retro City. Where did it all start?
Retro City was established by myself and my partner Suwei He back in 2016. The idea grew from my lifelong interest in foraging for vintage, mid-century, antique and collectible items and from there a shop was opened on Karangahape Road. We developed a very busy and popular shop however at the end of our lease (mid Covid) we decided to pull the pin and relocate when the time was right. And here we are now established in bright fresh premises on Ponsonby Road.
Are you a collector?
Yes, I am. My mother worked in the antique furniture business for many years and from there my interests developed. Collecting is in my blood and the thrill of finding great items still gives me a buzz. If anything, it’s an occupational hazard although as time passes, I find myself whittling my collection down to a selection of premium pieces that I will never sell. My collection is actually quite varied and includes a selection of quality European glass, ceramics, art prints, collectable books, LPs and a wide array of assorted collectables and ephemera.
What would people expect to see instore?
People can expect the unexpected! Don’t be fooled by the shop name as we run the gamut from Georgian furniture to contemporary leather armchairs. There is no real pattern to my buying. I buy what I find visually appealing regardless of age, design or style. Nevertheless, we usually have a good stock of armchairs and selected furniture pieces as well as hand knotted rugs, art glass, collectibles, art prints and objet d’art. The store selection is curated to provide a pleasant shopping experience with room to move.
Do you offer any interior design suggestions or advice?
Buy what you like. Fashions change but good style is timeless. Buy quality and don’t be afraid to mix it up. Buy from independent retailers, most of us are owner operators and genuinely care about what we do.
Do you have new items coming in regularly?
Yes, we have new stock arriving daily. Our turnover is fairly high and premium items don’t stick around long. We also sell on behalf which adds to the variety. Recent arrivals include an Ercol armchair, an early 18th century chest of drawers, a Slim Aarons print, some Murano Sommerso glass, an aesthetic movement side table and a selection of Persian rugs. At this time, we don’t offer online buying so the best option is to pop in for a look or follow us on Instagram or Facebook to keep up to date with stock arrivals, pricing and shop information.
Anything else you’d like to tell our readers?
We are thrilled to finally establish ourselves in Ponsonby and look forward to meeting more of the locals who have so far welcomed us with open arms.
Retro City is open Wednesday through Sunday – please see our website for details.
RETRO CITY, 33 Ponsonby Road, www.retrocityvintage.com
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