- By Vivek Panchal, AUT Journalism Student
The Howick Presbyterian Church has opened a Christmas-themed pop-up store and people are welcome to check it out and grab a bargain.
The pop-up, which is open from the first week of November to the early weeks of December, is selling Christmas decorations and an assortment of trinkets.
Church administrator Louise Delahunty says: “I think it’s one of those things that we all love Christmas, so it’s that nice sort of feeling.”
She started working at the church recently, as she wanted to do her bit for the community.
“I’ve lived here for the last 20 years. So, my girls have gone to school here, grown up here. I wanted to do something that was community-based.”
“It’s great for the mums and families who attend the kindergarten as well, because when mums and dads are dropping off the kids, it’s a great opportunity to pop in and get a couple of bargains for their Christmas preparations as well.”
The Christmas pop-up was started in 2016 by long-time churchgoer Crystal Seel when she realised the op-shop didn’t have enough space to store Christmas items.
She found an empty garage spot beside the op-shop and decided to clean it out and start selling items from the space.
“We were lucky when we took over the shed because it already had the shelving built around, so it was a little bit of red and green and we’re into Christmas.”
A long-time Howick resident, Seel has been involved with the church since 1960 and has been volunteering with its op-shop for the last 25 years.
Church member Retha Kleynhans, who moved to New Zealand from South Africa 29 years ago, has been active since then.
Kleynhans volunteers at the op-shop and is happy to send her customers to the ‘pop-shop’.
“Customers find this very good. People love it and we also attract new customers because of this.”
Seel plans to take a break from organising the pop-up to managing it due to her age. However, she’s still excited to plan out the shop and the volunteers.
“I’ll be working on the roster and that might be the most I can do in the coming year. I’ve got my little book that I fill in to see who’s going to be able to do it.”
Howick Presbyterian Church is at 11 Vincent Street.
