‘Nothing ever stays the same’: Retail veteran keeps the faith

Fashion retailer Jo Menary has been in business for more than four decades, in some shape or form, and has seen peaks and troughs as economic fortunes rise and fall.

But the main thing she wants to get across, as she marks the 25th anniversary of her central Nelson boutique, Shine, is to stay positive.

“It has been challenging, but being in business for 45 years, we’ve seen a lot of ups and downs, and you know that you’re going to come through it,” she said.

“Nothing ever stays the same. I think that’s the important message. So whilst it’s a bit tough for a while, there is some brighter light.”

Shine is a treasure trove of all things chic. Its racks hold velvets and faux furs, sequins and silver lamé, Italian wool jumpers and Danish shirts.

Menary and her husband’s first venture was a gallery in Ashburton, then opening a stained glass workshop in the Canterbury town in 1986.

On a weekend trip to Nelson, the pair “came home with a section”, built a house, and decided to set up shop. Their first Shine opened in 2001 on Bridge St, originally selling homewares and jewellery, before Menary decided to take the opportunity to bring new clothing labels into the city.

While she’s seen her share of upswings and downturns, Menary said the last five years have definitely been challenging, and that last year was the most challenging in terms of the economy.

In February this year, there was “a little glimmer”.

“We just hope that that glimmer is not too far away and coming back,” she said.

Menary’s love of fashion was inspired in part by her mother, who had “amazing” style. As one of 10 children, her mother would take the family to Ballantynes in Christchurch and let them choose the fabrics for their dresses.

Her mother would design the clothes, and a dressmaker would make them. Getting a brown wool trousersuit in the 1960s was exciting and “seriously cool”.

When she started working, her first clothing purchase was a red linen trouser suit from Barbara Lee, one of New Zealand’s best designers at the time, paid off on lay-by.

She’s retained her love of tailored pieces, and is still a big fan of waistcoats.

Asked what she would have liked to have known 25 years ago, Menary said she wished she’d had better computer skills.

But she also wished she had trusted herself more, and trusted her own vision.

She was proud to have been in business for a quarter of a century, and grateful for the support of fantastic customers.

During her interview, Menary is interrupted by the sound of jackhammers working on the Morrison Square redevelopment, a soon to be vibrant precinct with hospitality, retail, accommodation, office and public space.

She’s excited about the project bringing life back to the downtown area.

“That is the sound of progress,” she said.

“By the end of it, it’s going to be amazing.”

By Catherine Hubbard, Nelson Mail