New Timaru CBD hobby business expected to open some time in March

Tuesday, 6 January 2026

A new hobby business is expected to open on Stafford St in Timaru in March.

An inaugural Timaru convention aimed at bringing together hobbyists and board game enthusiasts has also prompted business interest.

Hobby Lords, which began in Dunedin in 2022, will open a store in Timaru’s Stafford St some time in March, company managing director Liam O’Neill said.

It would consist of a hobby store and a board games cafe and while he would not reveal exactly where it was opening, O’Neill said redevelopment work was already under way at the new store.

The Timaru store had come about following the popularity of WishCon, in August, which about 700 people attended raising $5000 for Make-A-Wish NZ.

“There were big numbers there,’’ he said.

WishCon takes place at Timaru’s Scottish Hall in August, with about 700 people attending.

“We decided we needed to be up there too.’’

O’Neill said hobbies, board games and collectables were losing some of their “nerdy’’ image, and becoming more mainstream.

“They don’t involve alcohol or drugs and are about meeting new people and sitting down and enjoying yourself.’’

James and Seth Mortimer at the WishCon convention in Timaru last year.

He said the popularity of Netflix series Stranger Things, which featured the fantasy tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, had helped, but people were also crossing over to other games as well.

O’Neill said Hobby Lords had stores across the country, and six more would open after Timaru.

“We’re excited about opening in Timaru and it’s very niche and Timaru would normally be too small but it’s a trial.

“It’s the first trial test for small towns.’’

While opening any new business was a gamble, O’Neill said the feedback received since it had announced it was opening gave him confidence.