Long running local antique and secondhand store Bell and Wyatt is closing.
Starting in 1971 by partners Athol Bell and William Wyatt, Bell and Wyatt became a secondhand shop staple of the South. Since 1995, the store had been run by local basketball enthusiast Danny Wyatt, until his passing earlier this year. Always keen to share memories about local history, Danny had a great passion for Invercargill and the remnants of yesteryear.
Bell and Wyatt have released a quirky video of the stores history on their Facebook page. It features the different management over the decades, their delivery vehicles, and the collapse of Stadium Southland.
His son Jordan Wyatt had managed the business since, the third generation of the Wyatt family. Through store demolition, burglary and arson, store changes and the passing of time, it had been an eventful 45 years in business. “Our bright yellow shop has been through it all, and come out smiling” said manager Jordan Wyatt. “We’ve loved buying and selling Invercargill’s history.”