Former Kathmandu shop on Victoria St filled

Tuesday, 16 August 2016

Former Kathmandu shop filled by Retailer Army and Outdoors.

The prominent space in Hamilton's CBD that previously housed outdoor clothing retailer Kathmandu has been filled.

Army and Outdoors, previously known as Kiwi Disposals, has moved into the Victoria St shop.

The store is due to open on August 27. Army and Outdoors has stores in Christchurch and Auckland.

Owner Jason Robinson said Hamilton was the next logical step in the company's growth plan.

'With that Kathmandu building I got a really good deal, it was a no-brainer really.'

Kathmandu occupied the store for 12 years.

Robinson chose the spot because Hamilton's CBD is promising, he said.

'It's kind of looking forward a little bit. Everyone's moving to The Base and that's freed up a lot of space in the city. Looking forward I see that Hamilton CBD becoming a little bit more vibrant and a little bit more boutiquey and little bit more hipster.

'At the moment in the city you can just get cheap rent.

'I needed something at least 400 square metres.'

The pedigree of the building was another reason to take the space, he said.

'Kathmandu was there for years. Everyone knows it as the Kathmandu building. It's location to Centre Place is pretty good too. I think we will get a little bit of spill over from that too.'

Robinson had been considering opening a store in Hamilton for a long time.

He said he would like to have a presence in all the main centres in New Zealand, however it was a 'big task' trying to make retail work with online.