Shop owners on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd are hopeful a new loyalty campaign will attract some much-needed business to the eclectic street.
Pici owner Jono Thevenard told 1News his pasta and wine bar tucked away in St Kevin’s Arcade opened during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
“Kind of battled through, but surprisingly probably last winter was the hardest,” he said.
Constant roadworks, construction of the City Rail Link, and the economic downturn has added to the pressure.
“With property prices being so expensive and with wages being low, people just don’t have that amount of money at the moment.”
K’ Rd Business Association general manager Jamey Holloway said it’s “been a really, really, really, really tough time” for local businesses.
“The economy hasn’t been great. So, for example, for July on Karangahape Rd and throughout the city, it’s been about 7% down on the same time last year.”
The business community hopes a new loyalty scheme, called Karangahape Returns, will lift spirits – and sales.
“There’s a lot of doom and gloom talk around,” Holloway said. “This is a chance to celebrate creative communities like this.”
By returning their receipts from local businesses, customers can snap up a range of quirky items unique to the street, from postcards and personalised license plates to the sought-after K’ Rd fragrance.
“Two receipts can get you a pack of cards,” Holloway said. “Twenty-one receipts might get you the last bottle of Karangahape Rd perfume.”
With “notes of wet pavement, whispers of nightclub sweat, a flash of green heat combined with a touch of smoke and mirrors”, the limited-edition scent promises to capture the essence of the street in a bottle, according to the K’ Rd Business Association.
Fort Greene owner Liam Fox donated his sourdough stater to the cause.
“It gives people the different perspective of what’s available on K Rd,” Fox said.
“They get to kind of see maybe a slightly more kooky take on what some of the businesses offer.”
The shop will be running until September 20.
“Start collecting your receipts now,” Holloway said.