The Ballantynes Select store was scheduled to open tomorrow morning, the retailer’s first footprint in Invercargill.
Ballantynes Select ranges a carefully curated selection of local and international fashion, accessories and gifting from its flagship Christchurch store.
Ballantynes also has a store in Timaru and made the decision last year to branch out further and bring a store to Invercargill.
The city was chosen as the newest location because of strong customer demand, helping to provide four new jobs for locals. With H&J Smith closing in November, a gap opened in the market.
The store is located within the Invercargill Central shopping complex.
The 190sqm store has undergone design and concept work and was scheduled to open in March but is opening one day earlier.
Ballantynes chief executive Maria O’Halloran said, last year when announcing the new store, the concept for Invercargill was small but mighty.
"We are delighted to finally bring the essence of Ballantynes to our southernmost city, and to be part of this bustling redevelopment," she said.
"Our customers have been asking for a physical presence in Invercargill for some time, and many have been travelling to our Canterbury stores for decades, so it feels really special to be able to make this happen.
"The time is right for us, and we’re thrilled to have the support of our valued suppliers.
"The concept for Ballantynes Select is a ‘best of the best’ model, giving our Southland customers the Ballantynes experience within a more modest retail footprint."
The manager of the new Invercargill store is Norman Ferreira. He started in the Christchurch store as a hairdresser, then became manager.
He is now bringing his talents south.
