Twelve years ago Jessica arrived in Martinborough. “I soon learned that this beautiful town had a famous square, olives grew here and famous wineries were within walking or cycling distance of the village square and their world-class wines were exported around the world,” she says of the Wairarapa town.
“There were restaurants and cafes, and places to have a drink when having get-togethers with friends. It was like living in paradise. Only an hour from Wellington, yet it felt like another world of tranquillity and calm.”
A year later, Jessica’s passion for beauty and her creative talents as a designer florist and decor consultant became the inspiration for Jessica’s Living Room.
The store quickly became a popular retail destination in Martinborough. “I wanted to create and design a business with creativity and design incorporated with my floristry background. Never have I looked back at the warmth of the local community that welcomed and supported me.”
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Jessica’s Living Room provides quality and affordable home furnishings, homewares and boutique fashion, jewellery, footwear and accessories to New Zealanders and overseas travellers, as cruise ships coming to Wellington bring many visitors keen to go wine-tasting and shopping in Martinborough.
Elegance, beauty and a classic style is expressed through specially chosen collections. Products are sourced from suppliers in New Zealand as well as from international buying trips.
Jessica's Living Room is situated in a 100-year-old heritage building in a prime position in the heart of the village. The location is one of the town’s most high-profile and busiest spots.
If there are events in the bustling town square, people will notice Jessica’s Living Room as it is surrounded by busy eating places and opposite the famous Martinborough Hotel.
Jessica says customers come into the store, breathe in the stunning French home fragrances and constantly comment on how unique the products are and how beautiful the shop looks, with men and women enjoying the mix of fashion and homeware.
Jessica’s Living Room has a reputation of providing its customers with a highly enjoyable shopping experience and has a far-reaching customer base.
The business has established itself as one of Martinborough’s leading homewares and fashion retailers, reaching the status of a ‘destination store’.
The reasonable long lease for the building runs until December 2036.
A new owner could work in the business as much or as little as they you wished. Jessica works in the shop two days a week and does her administration during the rest of the week. The shop does not open until 10am so the relaxed hours allow for work-life balance.
There are many growth opportunities for this business. A new owner could add furniture, fabrics, cushions, chairs and offer home consultations for decor design.
Another area would be to sell outdoor urns and plinths, statues and pots for gardens.
One big opportunity is to upgrade the website so that many more products could be added and sold online. Much of the revenue is from fashion clothing, jewellery, footwear and accessories. The website does not feature fashion items so there is a big opportunity to increase online sales by adding those.
Jessica’s Living Room at 8 Memorial Square, Martinborough, is for sale through Lynda Smyth of Link Business Brokers with an asking price of $449,000 plus stock (SAV approximately $150,000).
Contact: Lynda Smyth, ph 07 579 4994, 021 270 4271, email [email protected]
— Article supplied by Link
