Boutique menswear retailer Sergios is taking over prime premises in Queenstown’s Camp Street formerly leased to ASB Bank.
Sergios, which also retails in Christchurch and Auckland, has operated since 2014 from nearby Athol St.
‘‘I just think it’s time to make a move and go to the next level,’’ co-owner Kevin Gainsford says.
He believes the CBD itself is also taking a step upwards in retail, as exemplified by DFS Group recently opening its huge T Galleria by DFS store just two doors down in Camp St.
‘‘Everything’s pointing in the right direction.’’
Gainsford notes they’re also enjoying good returns from high-profile Auckland and Christchurch sites.
Relocating to one of the Frankton Flats shopping centres wasn’t on the cards, he says.
‘‘It’s all sausage factory stuff, every generic store’s out there — if you want to be different, you’ve got to be somewhere else, otherwise you just get swallowed up and lost amongst the crowd.’’
Sergios will open in Camp St around April — the entrance will split between Sergios and menswear label Hugo Boss, for which the retailer holds the New Zealand licence.
The lease was negotiated by local Colliers’ Mary-Jo Hudson.
