This building in Ariki Street is best Ariki Street is best known to most people in New Plymouth as the Army Stores.
The NPDC has a plan for the building dated 12 January 1923 drawn by F.H. Hay. A permit was issued to J.S. Watson on 9 April 1923 for a building on Town section 20 in Ariki Street. The builders were Hay & Spindler and the estimated cost was £130. J.S. Watson was a furniture dealer.
In 1937 John Pool bought the shop - then a second-hand store and lending library - and opened the Army Store. The business changed its name in 1993 to "Kiwi Outdoors" to reflect changing leisure activities. Kiwi Outdoors closed in 2015.
In 2016 the 'Stone bath' outlet shop opened in the building. The business moved to new premises in 2018.
Following this the Mexican-themed restaurant franchise 'Mad Mex' opened in the building, closing in 2022. This in turn was replaced by a new fast-food franchise, Downlow, featuring American "comfort food".
Related documents:
Army gear was popular (Daily News 4 October 1993)
New name reflects 90s focus (Daily News 4 October 1993)
Mr Outdoors loses battle for survival (Taranaki Daily News 7 February 2015)
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