MECCA is opening a new location on Ponsonby Road, bringing a refreshed lineup to the Auckland suburb where the beauty emporium opened its first New Zealand store in 2007. The retailer was founded in Melbourne in 1997 and now has more than 100 stores across Australia and NZ.
Opening Friday 12 June, the new MECCA Ponsonby store will inhabit a restored heritage building in the Three Lamps area of the busy shopping street.
The location, at 286 -306 Ponsonby Road is several blocks from the existing store that has been a popular destination for beauty lovers for nearly two decades. It has now closed.
At 323sqm, the new boutique is almost triple the size of that original store and will feature more than 95 brands, including a number not previously offered in Ponsonby’s MECCA. They include Hailey Beiber’s sought-after skin and beauty brand rhode as well as Charlotte Tilbury, Glossier, Le Labo, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and By Terry. A wider fragrance offering will also feature niche fragrance houses including DS & Durga, Escentric Molecules, Vilhelm Parfumerie and DedCool.
Much of the original architectural character of the 1908 Ponsonby building has been preserved, but with a sleek interior fit-out similar to other recently developed MECCA locations. Theres’s also more space to access makeup services, selected skin treatments via a semi-private skin bed and personalised fragrance consultations.
MECCA New Zealand Country Manager Nicky Shore said the new Ponsonby store marks a new chapter in the evolution of MECCA in New Zealand, with 15 stores now in the country.
“Ponsonby has always held a special place in our heart and MECCA’s story as the home of our very first MECCA store in New Zealand nearly 20 years ago,” Shore said on the opening’s announcement.
“This new space allows us to honour that history while creating a more immersive experience for our loyal customers in one of Auckland’s most vibrant and creative neighbourhoods.”
Another Kiwi beauty brand is helping mark the moment, with Emma Lewisham’s Illuminating Body Oil among the complimentary gifts with purchase for the first customers to shop in store on opening day. Friday’s celebrations will also include Daily Bread pastries and other exclusive opening offers.
