Nifty

Driving along the industrial end of Christchurch's Cashel Street, you don’t expect to come across a pale pink pop of colour that is the Nifty building. Even more unexpected is the treasure trove you will discover walking into this second-hand clothing haven. 

Nifty started life as a seasonal market in 2018, the brainchild of Rosie Carroll, who saw an opportunity to provide young people in Ōtautahi with a fun shopping activity. At the time there were limited options for finding curated second-hand clothing and Rosie was inspired by her travels overseas, in particular by the Glebe Market in Australia. 

As her markets grew in popularity, Rosie decided to take a leap, left her full-time job and opened the store in October 2022. This permanent space makes the Nifty shopping experience more available to customers and gives Rosie and her team the chance to engage with their community on a more regular basis. 

The store itself has been thoughtfully planned out, from the lounge area complete with rose pink sofas (thrifted from TradeMe) to the colourful curation of clothing around the space. Different zones make it easy for even the most novice of second-hand clothing shopper to navigate. Eighty per cent of the stock is vintage, with the rest being preloved, and Nifty has a great relationship with its sellers who bring items in to sell on consignment. 

The markets still run every season in the carpark behind the Nifty building, and vendors from all around the country bring their wares to this clothing mecca, along with a few makers in there for good measure. There’s often a coffee truck to fuel you up for the shopping ahead, and it’s all-around great vibes, so keep an eye on the Nifty socials for when the next one is coming up.

Rosie’s passion for linking people with clothes they love is clear to see in both the store and the markets. Nifty represents the idea that fashion should be fun, unique and, most importantly, enjoyed!