On A Retail Therapy Mission

Expect many familiar retailers' faces when Christchurch's historic New Regent Street re-opens very soon.

As it was, July 2012...

The shopping street, famous for its Spanish Mission-style facades, re-opens on April 20 for the first time since the Feb.2011 EQ.
The major EQ repairs and refurbishments were originally scheduled for completion in time for last Xmas. The work's included fixing and strengthening the 38 shops, and painting the Spanish Mission-style facades upstairs while replicating decorative tiles to sit alongside original ones downstairs.

Frozen at "that time"

The street itself has also been mended, and repaving is being done now.
A couple of shops will be empty on opening day, but 14 tenants have signed leases and some're already fitting out their shops ready for the relaunch. Some familiar faces are Moko Cafe, Cafe Stir, Coffee Lovers, Youngs Jewellers, and Hot Damn! Lingerie, which is now in Re:Start mall.
Look out for new arrivals Prestige Fudge, which now sells its confectionery in supermarkets; nail salon MC for Nails; Beadz Unlimited, which had been in the Arts Centre before the EQs and is now in Cranford St; custom jeweller Polished Diamonds; The Last Word, a second bar

The famous facade

from the owners of The Darkroom in St Asaph St; Mrs Higgins Cookies, previously in Worcester St; and Caffeine Laboratory, also now in Re:Start.
I expect locals will be quick to support the new New Regent Street, as another example of a return to their 'New Normality'.