New Cottontails Children's Boutique Opens In Invercargill

The new Cottontails children’s boutique store in Invercargill has turned into a family affair, with the owners of the building keen to start other branches around the country as well.

Thompson Property Group (TPG) decided to use the site at 150 Dee Street to created a children’s store, after Baby City closed its southern shop and relocated to Dunedin.

Gaire Thompson approached Jackie Wielaard who used to work at Baby City and asked her if she wanted to be involved.

Jackie was the main buyer for Baby City and also worked in a similar role at H&J Smith Invercargill - giving 25 years service to the department store.

Jackie said she couldn’t believe her luck when Gaire approached her - as she was still reassessing her employment options after Baby City closed down.

“This is my dream job.” The problem was, she needed some help with marketing and social media.

So Gaire asked his daughter Amanda Thompson, who lives in Tauranga and has been heavily involved in marketing different NZ sports teams.

She’s come on board as the social media manager, and Gaire said last week, if the new store is successful, then Cottontails could be replicated in other parts of the country.

One of nine companies under Thompson Property Group, Gaire said they are keen to see how the new Cottontails business goes, and might start other ones using their various retail sites around the country as well.

TPG owns retail spaces around Invercargill, Nelson, Porirua, Dunedin, Timaru, Hornby, Otautau, Levin, Palmerston North and Tawa.

Jackie said people missed the ‘branded’ children’s clothing, and since Cottontails opened, they’ve been inundated with customers - many being former H&J Smiths customers.

“People have missed it so much.”

Meanwhile, the commercial site in the old Farmers department store at 150 Dee Street, has entered an exciting new phase with a full exterior upgrade and a new identity - The Hub.

The redevelopment of The Hub and the recent arrival of Bargain Chemist is a welcome revitalisation of the Dee Street retail area, following Farmers’ relocation to Esk Street back in 2022.

Gaire said they have moved the escalators to the front of the building, and are currently working on some new tenants for the top floor.

He said watch this space for other new tenants that are currently on the horizon.