Michele Griffin 10/8/23 Michele Griffin 10/8/23

Heart of the village

A wander into Bethlehem Town Centre uncovers some hidden treasures, both old and new

A wander into Bethlehem Town Centre uncovers some hidden treasures, both old and new.

If you haven’t visited Bethlehem Town Centre recently, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover new offerings among its boutique specialist shops.

Ko Ko Dak is the newest eatery on the block, offering Korean cuisine with a twist. Now a choice of burgers offers even more of a fusion between east and west.

Luxurious new nail bar Majestic Nail Salon is a relaxing stop for shoppers looking for some retail respite, with a comfortable space and competitive pricing.

Other favourites like Caroline Eve, award-winning salon Rodney Wayne and home of Tauranga's famous fudgery Options Gifts on the High Street
make it easy to lose yourself in a day of retail therapy and pampering indulgence.

With spring upon us, the allure of Bethlehem's High Street lies not only in its boutique treasures but also in its inviting ambiance. For those seeking a touch of nature, take a leisurely stroll through “the grove”, a serene enclave of native trees accessible via a charming boardwalk. With over a dozen mature trees, the grove creates an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquillity.

Shoppers can begin the day with a steaming cup of rejuvenating coffee at one of the charming cafés that bookend the street, like the revamped outdoor dining at The Coffee Club. Or savour the scenic views from Columbus Coffee, where a menu of local favourites await, curated by owners Alana and Steve.

So whether you're drawn to designer fashion, pampering beauty treatments, or a serene natural retreat, Bethlehem Town Centre's High Street has something for every discerning visitor. Unveil the charm of this shopping haven and indulge in the pleasures that await around every corner.

TRENDING IN BETHLEHEM

Fashion and gifting is at the forefront of Bethlehem Town Centre. Some of the village style gurus tell us what’s on offer for spring.

SHOO

Shoo is welcoming a fun new season with a pop of colour for spring. Handcrafted shoes from Italy showcase bright oranges, cobalt blues and emerald greens. With a strong European influence in store, key brands this season include Laura Bellariva, Repo, Manufacture d'essai, and Repaini, all from Italy. Kathryn Wilson is bringing a touch of 70s with cork outsoles on high platforms and fun colours with bags to match. New sunglasses range Otra is in store and well priced from $89.

Shoo.co.nz

AFTER HOURS BOUTIQUE

With main designer brands being Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman and Anthea Crawford, the trending colours for Spring/Summer 23 are hot pink (thank you, Barbie!) and emerald green. Tropical florals are going to be popular for wedding season, while sequins are having a major comeback for party/cocktail wear. There are a lot of floaty styles coming in as well as more structured silhouettes.

afterhours.boutique

URBAN VOGUE & GEORGE EDWARD

Two iconic fashion boutiques sit side by side in the town centre. The sister boutiques stock some of the country's leading fashion designers such as Kinney, Lemontree and Nice Things, Blackstone, MIMOSO and Noa Noa. Led by a small and experienced team who help their customers curate beautiful, stylish looks that are built on quality, taste and superb design, it's an experience to shop here that is matched only by overseas fashion houses.

Urbanvogue.co.nz georgeedward.co.nz

TANGO’S SHOES

Chrissie Blazen (pictured) is fashioned with linen, giving an earthy, minimalistic look – a key style this spring. Providing an effortless flair
with chic ruffled French pleat detail, the look is finished with this stunning mule. Available in Natural and Black Linen. Exclusive European brands include Aerobics, Andacco, Carrano, Gaimo, Plakton and Viguera.

tangosshoes.co.nz

BETHLEHEM EYE CARE

Discover the epitome of elegance in eyecare at Bethlehem Eye Care,
where independent optometrist Stuart Willats and his team redefine vision excellence. With more than 20 years experience delivering unparalleled high quality and professional care, they specialise in comprehensive eye examinations, precision contact lens fittings and bespoke spectacles. Brands include Woody®, Barcelona, Face & Cie and Vanni.

betheyes.nz

DECK THE HALLS

Bethlehem Town Centre is gearing up for a busy Christmas season. Each year, the centre makes the most of its open-air village experience by featuring Santa’s sleigh, Tauranga’s biggest Christmas tree and New Zealand’s largest Nutcracker Soldier. There will be some fun new additions to this year’s Christmas installs, including some Christmas card-worthy photo opportunities with gingerbread man and Santa chairs, and a 3D Christmas card. The village is also home to a beloved Santa – he’s a third-generation Santa Claus!

Michele Griffin 7/4/23 Michele Griffin 7/4/23

Feel-good fashion

Sister boutiques Urban Vogue and George Edward keep fashion at the forefront.

Words Nicky Adams | Photos Salina Galvan

Buying clothes is a bona fide spirit lifter. There is joy (and adrenalin) involved in finding that perfect outfit, but a huge part of the experience is being comfortable and confident in your surroundings when you make those choices. Vicki Burns, owner operator of Urban Vogue and George Edward in Bethlehem, and her team are exactly the sort of people you want to be there to help with those – sometimes complicated decisions.

Despite 30 years in the industry, Vicki has not been caught up in the smoke and mirrors of the fashion world. What drives her is knowing that her customers can enjoy all the attractions of a boutique surroundings but have access to attainable but individual pieces. With her own style leaning towards a casual steampunk aesthetic, what Vicki loves is that she has found her niche in the market by bringing her client base a range of looks that are influenced not by her personal preference, but by good style and high quality rather than moving trends. In fact, she tells me, her best feedback is when customers come back and say, “I’ve thrashed that piece – can I have something similar?” Not, she laughs, the best business model in a trend-led industry.

Her small team are, like Vicki, there to help with their considerable experience and expertise, rather than to tell people they look good to secure a sale. The success of this ethos is reflected in the fact that the majority of the two stores enjoy predominantly repeat custom. The team have mostly been with Vicki from the very beginning, or the early days. Urban Vogue was established 16 years ago when Bethlehem Town Centre was developed, and Vicki took over George Edward a year or so later. She finds it works well having the two stores so close together. There’s a slightly different emphasis on stock, with Urban Vogue catering to those looks that you won’t find elsewhere, and George Edward leaning more towards classic, modern chic. But with the same staff working between the two shops and having knowledge of the entire stock, there’s a synergy that means customers have the benefit of a far more extensive pool that they would first have thought. The team of Kim, Sonia, Robyn, Megan and Donna all bring a unique skill set, from Sonia with her flair for individualism, to Megan who is an instore professionally trained colour consultant, able to assist customers with their best looks.

The concept of doing things a little uniquely filters from the looks to the interior design of the stores, specifically Urban Vogue, which has been set out in the style of wardrobes. Typically arranged by colour, it streamlines the process for the customer. Vicki holds that for the store her initial mission statement was “to develop a space where people could come and tell us the dog’s sick or the bird’s having its beak clipped
– I wanted a friendly space. For people to come and connect. And that’s what they did – and those people have carried on supporting us.” When it comes to the labels held in stores the idea was “trying to get things that were a little bit outside the square, but not to the point where it’s scary for the consumer.” Over the years the brand choices have evolved organically, as Vicki continues to strive for a feel of exclusivity – along with this, Vicki has her own unique spin on the styling of her pieces. This, she puts down to her personality. “It’s really good, because although there are other lovely independent boutiques locally, we’ve all got quite different personalities – and that comes through in our stores.” Along with the different looks is an emphasis on body inclusivity and wearability. “I want things people will wear above all else. I don’t buy for a fleeting trend; I buy for my customer. And they need quality and affordability.”

Vicki’s boutiques are well known for the fabulous fashion shows they put on locally – often for a charitable cause. She loves the community aspect of these and sees it as a way of giving back to her loyal customers as much as showcasing her lines. As someone uncomfortable with limelight and fanfare, Vicki is level-headed about the perceived glamour of the fashion world. Instead, she thrives on representing the ordinary woman in fashion’s extraordinary world. What she does love is “the changing landscape – you don’t know from one day to the next what you’re going to get out of the industry. I might not buy the passing trends if it’s no good for my customers, but I love to look at them, keep up to speed, to feel the fabric and know that the quality is being upheld.” For Vicki and the team at Urban Vogue and George Edward, the real joy is customer service, satisfaction and the camaraderie that fashion produces.

urbanvogue.co.nz
georgeedward.co.nz

Michele Griffin 4/5/23 Michele Griffin 4/5/23

Meet, shop, eat

Spend a pleasant day shopping in the quaint and colourful Bethlehem Town Centre.

Words Catherine Sylvester

A mainstay of the local community for 16 years, Bethlehem Town Centre is reminiscent of the way shopping was done in the days before malls and retail centres dominated the scene. With an open-air village feel to it, the centre is designed as a one-stop shop with everything on hand for a leisurely day out.

This February saw the addition of a vibrant weekly market to bring the community together during the summer months. Held on Sunday mornings in the centre’s Main Street, local creatives can be found showcasing their talents, with everything from art and jewellery to garden ornaments and microgreens on display.

“We even had a kindergarten selling cookbooks filled with recipes shared by local families,” says centre manager Lauren Todd.

There is ample entertainment for the young – and young at heart. “Have a Go” circus workshops, and free face painting and candy floss have proved popular attractions with grandparents bringing their grandkids out to play.

Lauren suggests cocktails and a bite to eat as an ideal way to round out the day.

A central feature of the complex is the native tree walk which features mature tītoki, kahikatea, kāpuka, pūriri and mikimiki. "The centre is pet-friendly too, with outdoor seating at the cafés, and an on-site groomer and DIY dog wash,” Lauren says.

The markets have generated such interest with those hoping to hold a stall that many new faces appear weekly. This in turn brings variety and flavour to those on the hunt for a great find and a fabulous day out.

Shopping guide

Here are just a few of the businesses you’ll find inside the Bethlehem Town Centre complex.