At 4.35am on 4 September 2010 a force 7.1 earthquake struck the Canterbury area of the South Island, New Zealand. The town of Kaiapoi was badly hit by the quake and the iconic Blackwell’s Department Store building on the corner of Williams Street and Raven Quay was a victim. The front of the building was badly damaged and the store had to be abandonded until it’s fate could be decided.
The Blackwell family has owned and run the store since 1871 and we are determined not to let this be the end. We have opened a temporary store on Williams Street, a short distance south of the old store, as well as a furnishing and carpet showroom on Ohoka Road. It’s business as usual, and the family and staff would love to see you visit and support them through this challenging period in the store’s on-going history.