Where Aunty Mavis rules

Imagine a tiny empire where quirk is queen.

And she rules over all the odds and ends in her little kingdom.

What might sound like a fairy tale is a real place to be – and you can find it on Auckland's K Road.

“Wow, this is like my Grandma’s house!”

The queen’s name is Aunty Mavis, a lovely shop that sells all the things a vintage heart desires.

When it opened in December 2009 owner Alison Reid wanted to create a little world on its own: “I would like to think my shop has a ‘welcome home’ feel where people feel comfortable to ask questions and discuss their own collections. I wanted people to feel like they were entering an actual home from the 1960’s.”

Her idea was successful because the shop goes without the standard retail layout of shelves, shop counter and racks. Stepping into Aunty Mavis is like entering your grandma’s house, a place where you feel comfy to stay a while for a nice chat.

15 years of collecting

But it’s not only about the home-sweet-home-feeling, it’s about all the things you can discover in this quirky empire. Clothes, furniture, art - the items have come from 15 years of collecting all over New Zealand. In stock you can find Crown Lynn and vintage 1950's to 1970's, and collections are from Bonco sieves to Crown Lynn Colour Glaze right through to taxidermy. Prices range from $2 (for old photographs) up to $500 (Tretchikoff prints).

Vintage designs stand the test of time

How come the focus on second hand stuff anyway?

“I think that fashion is a recycling of ideas anyway, no-one can deny the elegance of the 1950's or the quirkiness of the 70's,” Alison explains. “Things were simply built to last and indeed they have. I think that recycling and second hand stuff is a great way for us to do our bit to look after the planet, and the designs stand the test of time.”

Well said, Alison. Aunty Mavis will surely rule as long as its timeless goods – and live happily ever after…

Story and photos by Luisa Geissler, 18 February 2010.

Where to find Aunty Mavis
Shop 20
St. Kevins Arcade
169 K Road, Auckland