BROOMFIELDS – THE HISTORY

‘Broomfields’ opened in early 1979 under the name of ‘Natural Crafts’ in the newly opened Merivale Mall. A delightful little craft shop, filled with hand woven purses and pin cushions, dolls, wooden pots, knitting wools and patterns, cottons, buttons and zips, embroidery threads  and kits, crewel wool, macramé cord and books. During the first year Anna Broomfield Taylor joined the staff and two years later the opportunity came for her to buy the business.  After purchasing Natural Crafts, Anna prefaced that  name  with ‘Broomfields’ - a family name from the New Forest in  Hampshire,  England.  Eventually, Natural Crafts was dropped, the business thereafter simply became ‘Broomfields’.

On the very first day of ownership, a customer picked up a needlework kitset and explained that she had worked the design. She returned later that day with her beautifully embroidered sampler , leaving it in the store for others to see what the finished piece is like. Anna was captivated and  that was the beginning of what was to become a very specialized needle work supplies shop in Christchurch.

Initially visiting Denmark, Holland  and the UK, Anna became a regular visitor to the trade fairs in UK, USA and Australia.  Some excellent products from New Zealand designers were later added to the stocks displayed.

In 1991 the lease for the Merivale Mall site expired and the opportunity to lease a space on Papanui Road, was happily accepted.  With the support of her husband and four very loyal part time staff, ‘Broomfields’ went from strength to strength in the new site. Two weeks short of 21 years ownership by Anna, the, business was sold to Sarah Adams and Anna retired to Church Bay Olives, Banks Peninsula  where amongst other interests she continues to learn the art of embroidery.

Under new ownership ‘Broomfields’ continued to be a place where stitcher’s indulged their stitching desires for the next 5 years until once again the lease expired and Broomfields closed its doors, temporarily, until it was sold to the current owner Andrea Dell. 

After 18 months of running the business in a lovely  old villa, the time had come for ‘Broomfields’  to have  a  ‘place of its own’ once again……. so in October 2009 it began a new era and opened its doors to a charming store next to the Poplar lanes, Central City, Christchurch.

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