Browse Wellington’s speciality stores

Abel Odor’s (pronounced ‘ah-bell’) spot in the valley is part factory, part shop. It’s known as the ‘fabriek’, the Dutch word for factory. It’s the home base for the natural perfumery.

The brand was born from owner Frances Shoemack’s quest for a natural perfume that was as modern and chic as it was sustainable and ethical. Pop your head into Abel’s Aro Street shop, and you’ll likely find Frances herself. She’s often brewing up batches of natural scents ready for shipping across the world.

In store, shoppers can experience Abel’s scents in an engaging, personal way with the people who brought them to life.

Victoria Street is home to a locally-owned beauty concept space, Iris. Part store, part studio, Iris focuses on high-quality, international brands and an intimate customer experience.

Iris Store & Studio’s collection is curated by beauty aficionado and Wellingtonian, Hannah Wiles. Hannah hand-picks every brand and product on the shelves. Her priorities are proven results, transparent ingredients, and sustainability. Expert advice and personal recommendations are all part of the Iris experience. Customers can level up their visit with facials, make-up lessons, and brow and lash treatments in the upstairs studio space.

Moore Wilson’s is Wellington’s foodie mecca. It brings together every type of food lover under one roof. Local chefs and café owners go there to buy their supplies. Home cooks and foodies head there to pick up restaurant-quality ingredients. And, it’s a must-visit on any eating tour of Wellington.

A good place to begin is downstairs, in Moore Wilson’s Fresh. Like an always-on farmers market, it stocks specialised artisan products, and fresh produce, meat and seafood. Local bakeries come by each morning, stocking up the shelves with fresh bread and sweet treats. The selection is extensive, so it’s advisable to come with an empty stomach.

Wellington Apothecary is an island of peace in the city. It’s part retail store, part apothecary, part clinic. On its shelves sit pretty glass bottles of aromatherapy oils, herbal remedies and botanical skincare. From the dispensary, you can purchase tonics and teas. The remedies soothe irritated digestive systems, help the body cope with stress, ease coughs and colds, and much more. There’s also a natural therapy clinic offering therapeutic massage, holistic facials, naturopathy, and Ayurveda medicine.

Time flies when you’re having fun. That's how you’ll feel when you visit a specialist watch shop Five:45. Established in 2018, this unique retail experience is hidden away upstairs on busy Cuba Street. Vintage and special secondhand watches sit alongside latest releases from premium brands. Five:45 also stock new watch brands with limited edition runs — many of which are otherwise not available in New Zealand. This means that you are likely to find something no one else is wearing. You can also find watch accessories, jewellery, beautiful culinary knives, and other gift items. Art on the walls and beautiful furniture make for a luxurious shopping experience.  

Analogue photography boutique Splendid makes sure that in a fast-paced world, the slower things stick around. Whether you’re a film expert or just dipping your toes into the world of analogue photography, you can find equipment, developing, cameras, film, and splendid service.