Customers streamed through the doors of Reliquaire on its grand reopening day on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The toy and gift store in Latrobe rose from the ashes of the former store which burned down in 2015.
RELATED COVERAGE:
Store owner, Sylvia Christie, said the new store had the best of the old-world Reliquaire style in a new building.
“It’s a modern feel but it’s still got the quirkiness and it’s got nice things in it so I really like it,” she said.
Mead Con was the construction company behind the rebuild of the Gilbert Street store while David Denman and Associates drew up the plans.
“Tim Mead and his mate were really really good and David Denman was the architect in Launceston, him and his crew did the design and what a wonderful job,” Mrs Christie said.
Plans were drawn up in October last year and the building began in March.
The rendering on the building was finished on Saturday, just in time for opening day.
“They did a great job but it did take a lot longer than we thought,” she said.
The new store features Reliquaire’s signature stock, an eclectic mix of imported dolls, vintage furniture, games and science toys, puppets, soft toys, books and jewellery.
Toy soldiers guard the entrance at the heritage-style facade of the building.
Shoppers are offered a morsel of Reliquaire’s signature fudge to start their journey, served by Mrs Christie’s daughter, Lauren, on the opening day.
A central area opens out into smaller themed rooms with lots to discover.
Doors around the store transport visitors to new places, including the Mad Hatter’s tea party, Dr Who’s Tardis and Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.
A cafe provides respite and Tasmanian-sourced treats for those who need a break to take everything in.
High windows let lots of natural light into the store.
The original Reliquaire store was burned down on Christmas Eve in 2015.
The fire, which was caused by faulty switchboards, resulted in $3 million in damage.
The community rallied around the family business, which had been open for 21 years.
A crowdfunding campaign raised money for the business to purchase more stock and open a temporary store with a view to rebuilding at the original site.
A smaller, temporary store was opened at Christie family’s Hamilton Street home while the new store was being built.
The development application for the new building was lodged with the Latrobe Council in October last year.
Mrs Christie said iconic Latrobe business had the same old-world quirkiness of the old store but with an improved, modern layout.