The mushrooming of new retailing opportunities in Napier seems set to continue, despite what will be the opening of at least 27 new or redeveloped shops in a year.
The shops are around what is become a new golden half-kilometre on Hastings St, including the near ends of Emerson St and Dickens St.
When new-to-town women's clothing store Merric opens today, it will become the sixth to open in less than three weeks, and the fourth to open on the Emerson St frontage of the old Farmers site being redeveloped by Havelock North-based Wallace Developments.
The others which have just opened are the surfwear shop Backdoor and gift specials @cquisitions fronting Emerson St, relocated Pascoes the Jewellers on the former ANZ Bank corner, and Hastings St neighbours and manicurists Pretty Nails and Beauty.
The past few months has also seen opening of six shops in new buildings or refurbished premises neighbouring the new Farmers, including the four in Paxie's Lane between Hastings St and Marine Parade, while clothing shop Cotton On's relocation has led the reoccupation of the old Farmers site.