The Merry Go Round

If one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, The Merry Go Round in Wellington is a treasure trove of upcycled furniture, collectables, vintage wear and other trinkets.

Based in a modest shop on Alicetown’s Cuba Street, The Merry Go Round may be the perfect hunting ground for those looking for their own gem or two. After years of refurbishing and selling furniture online as a side gig, owner Sam Vaughan turned his passion into his full-time job, opening the store in late 2020. Almost everything is salvaged from within New Zealand, whether it’s been saved from a retired factory or passed on by an avid collector.

With a growing reputation as the place to go for rare, unique decor items, The Merry Go Round attracts a diverse clientele: retail, hospitality, the film industry, and those just looking for that eye-catching centrepiece for their own home. Diversity that's only matched by the range of articles you’ll find in store. Whether you’re after a carousel horse, specimen drawers, Oktoberfest-style trestle tables, factory signage, or a foosball table, you’re guaranteed to come across something that catches your attention.

The shop was designed entirely by Sam, and despite the panoply of goods on offer, there’s a delightful neatness to how it is all arranged. Cubby holes keep smaller items displayed smartly out of the way, while mesh panels act as another discreet platform for showing off hanging items. There’s also enough empty floor space to help you navigate the area as you browse, and the shop is redesigned and re-themed each week to keep things fresh.

Take one trip to The Merry Go Round and you’ll immediately see Sam’s passion for breathing new life into old treasures. You might even go home with one of those treasures tucked under your arm, ready to start its new life in your home or workspace.