This single storey building on the main street of Opunake was erected in 1914 for Rahotu farmer, Charles Jeffries. It was a replacement for a building destroyed in the large Opunake blaze on 1 October 1913. At the time Jeffries had a portfolio of commercial buildings in the town.
It was designed by the Opunake architect, Mr A.(Arthur) O'Brien - contractor is unknown.
Once completed the new building was leased out to the merchants Messrs. Holmes and Arthur. In 1919 the lease was taken up by Thomas P. Hughson, a general merchant who already had stores in Rahotu (1902), Pungarehu and Oaonui (1910). Hughson went on to buy the building in 1924 and the name was associated with it until at least the 1980s. (Heritage New Zealand report - Robyn Burgess)
After over 90 years of retailing in Opunake Hughsons finally closed in 1999 as a result of rural depopulation and cheaper imported clothing.
Registered as a category 2 place with Heritage New Zealand.
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