It's farewell but not goodbye for a long standing Auckland craft store, which is closing its doors after 45 years.
Geoff's Emporium on Dominion Road was opened in 1980, by its namesake, Geoff Lamb.
It's become an institution for some in Auckand, especially those on the hunt for some bargain fabric or arts and crafts projects.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
After nearly five decades, Geoff's son Derrol is shutting up shop on their flagship site to relocate to their Browns Bay site for semi-retirement.
He co-owns the Emporium with his wife Heather, and told RNZ the community had been an integral part of his experience with the shop.
"The old business has chugged along, I think initially we thought 'maybe six years, probably see us out,'. Forty years later we're still here," he said.
"Once we announced the closing, the people who have come in and thanked us for being here, I always try to say 'well look, it's a double edged sword.'
"It's thanks to them, otherwise, we wouldn't have lasted for as long as we did."
Lamb said it would be tough to farewell the central Auckland site.
"I've managed to keep myself so busy over the last two months, I really haven't had a chance to think about it," he said.
"I know when I close the door for the final time, it's going to be emotional, there's no doubt of that."
The store has catered for customers seeking knick knacks, costumes, fabrics or pieces for arts and crafts projects. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
For the past 40 plus years, the shop had been a magnet for people seeking knick knacks, costumes, fabrics or pieces for arts and crafts projects.
There was almost always a bargain of some sort - and the shop was regarded by some as an institution in the city.
"It's very sad that it's closing, I'm going to miss it terribly," said one customer, "and there are fewer and fewer of these shops."
Another said: "It's a great loss really, especially a lot of home sewers have shopped here for years."
Kirstin Gedye has spent hours poring over the rows and rows of fabric in the shop.
She travelled from Northland to check out the store one last time.
"There's so many clothes that I've made from this place, I've spent hours here," she said.
"I was a textiles teacher, so I used to come as a teacher here to bring all the students."
Gedye said it was a massive loss to the community.
"It's such an amazing shop, it's been such an important part of the community, we've actually come back from Northland just to come and have a look."
But while the central city store is shutting down, customers could still get all their sewing needs from the North Shore location.
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