Inc. Design
Monday10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Tuesday10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Wednesday10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Thursday10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Friday10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Saturday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Sunday10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Not just a shop, gallery or studio but some combination of all three, Ōamaru’s Inc. Design is an experience in and of itself.
Inc. embodies the term ‘concept store’ in the sense that it serves as a showcase for unique, clever and beautiful objects which are all made in and around our place, Aotearoa. The products are special on their own, and here they’re presented in a special way, too.
Helen is a creative through and through, and this is reflected in the store. She started her own brand, Tinch Design Studio in 2009, and lots of her work can be seen throughout the shop - she’s got a knack for jazzing up even the plainest walls with unique wall clings (you actually might’ve seen one at Tees Street already!). As you make your way through the shop, you’ll find a spread of New Zealand-made products unlike any other - many of these lines are sold exclusively at Inc.
Amongst some of Helen’s favourites is Tatyanna Meharry’s collection of plates, bowls and cups, which use local Waitaki sands and clays to create organic textures, shapes and hues. These are local wares in the truest sense of the phrase.
Under Helen's creative direction, many of the artworks on display are inspired by other makers represented at Inc. The selected creatives often respond to one another’s work in a unique kind of artistic symbiosis; Tatyanna's ceramics and Inge Flinte's paintings are one example of this.
All of the items found at Inc. have a story to tell. Helen is happy to share these stories with you. Her passion for design and supporting her creative colleagues is contagious. A visit to Inc. is a personal, tactile experience, a celebration of independent creatives and just a genuinely good time.
Words by Olivia Sisson & Photography by Nancy Zhou
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Location
6 Itchen Street, Oamaru
Nearby Places
Poshtel
Poshtel has to be one of the most unique accommodation options around New Zealand. In keeping with one of Ōamaru's most notable personality traits, Steampunk, it’s filled with antiques and relics.
Soul, Surf and Skate
Ōamaru’s one-and-only surf and skate shop, Soul Surf & Skate, is located in the heart of the town’s retail district on Thames Street.
William Bee
A general store since the 1800s, this cosy Ōamaru corner shop is now home to hip baby wear, cool gifts and New Zealand outerwear brand, Moké. Lush fabrics and excellent craftsmanship tie the whole concept together.
Crafted
It’s hard not to be inspired by Ōamaru’s rugged coastline and fabled history. The town is home to many talented makers and artists, and at the collective gallery you can explore their work at your own pace.
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Hub and Sprocket Cycles
Possibly our most bikeable region, the Waitaki is home to plenty of rugged scenery and flat to not-so-flat cycleways. Get your gear sorted and check out the tours that range from day trips to the full A2O at Hub and Sprocket Cycles.
Soul, Surf and Skate
Ōamaru’s one-and-only surf and skate shop, Soul Surf & Skate, is located in the heart of the town’s retail district on Thames Street.
William Bee
A general store since the 1800s, this cosy Ōamaru corner shop is now home to hip baby wear, cool gifts and New Zealand outerwear brand, Moké. Lush fabrics and excellent craftsmanship tie the whole concept together.
Jessica Flora + In Good Company
Jessica Flora is a local Waitaki label that specialises in made-to-order clothing and celebrates Mother Earth. Find this brand and others at In Good Company.