Games shop moves away from construction with crowdfunding help

Thursday, 12 December 2024

Caffeinated Dragon Games owner Rhys Kaan is among business owners facing extended road works that have been offered council support but are dubious about it.

A Wellington games shop that crowdfunded $19,000 in order to move from noisy, dusty nearby construction, now has a new home on Manners St.

Caffeinated Dragon owner Rhys Kaan told The Post his store has relocated to 94 Manners St, after business was affected by the ongoing construction on Victoria and Wakefield Sts.

Previously, Kaan had said the dust and noise caused by Wellington Library being rebuilt had given his staff headaches and nausea while working at the shop’s former Victoria St location.

When work had started on demolishing the Civic Administration Building (CAB), Kaan started fundraising through Givealittle to sponsor a move away from the street.

The business owner crowd-funded $19,000 to sponsor his move.

Kaan said the now Manners St-business was looking to build up some positivity for Wellington, as well as forming relationships with other business owners in the area.

Rhys Kaan, owner of Caffeinated Dragon, says he is looking to build up some positivity around Wellington’s retail scene. He’s pictured here in his former Victoria St store.

Some Wellington businesses were doing well, and some were even thriving, he said, with the aim to remind everyone that Wellington had not closed down due to “a negligent attitude.”

“Everyone's doing what we can, and we're trying to keep Wellington vibrant and alive… [we’re] looking forward to the future, trying to build things up, trying to keep a positive attitude.”

Previously, Kaan said his business had dropped 80% when the construction started.

But he said he was aware of the issues that were brewing for businesses in the area, and that it did feel like he had moved from one fire to another.

“I will also be working towards working with other businesses for collaborative promotion, the better to serve Wellington, even if those in power don't.

“We are being very open and honest about the challenges, we don't have enough stock for Christmas, but we're also being loud about the changes we're making to adapt.”

He said that the store had a number of events planned, including a food drive on Friday, where all day access to the games library would be offered in exchange for a non-perishable food item.

“We're hoping to basically fill up a good-sized box and hopefully make Christmas a real awesome thing for a few people.”