19 Black Ltd, The Rockabilly Shop®, is a New Zealand owned and operated family business.
19 Black was established in 2008 as an online tee shirt and gift store after Judy and Gavin visited the amazing tradeshows of 'vegas', sourcing quirky retro american inspired products, hence the stores first tagline 'Blow it all on 19 Black'. Yes, many conversations were spent explaining this family joke (there isn't a 19 Black, it's 19 Red).
Judy and Gavin, Grand Canyon, USA
Bettie Rage, Miss Pinup NZ 2015, Hamilton East store opening
We opened our first bricks and mortar store in one of the older, original suburbs of Hamilton, Hamilton East in 2014. It wasn't long before our customers were referring to us as 'The Rockabilly Shop' in Hamilton. The whispers were listened to and we rebranded to THE ROCKABILLY SHOP®, it's a nice back story to have your business renamed by your amazing customers!
By this time, we had transformed into the gorgeous store we are today bringing to market an exciting range of vintage inspired fashion, footwear and accessories. Specialising in Rockabilly, Pinup, Alternative and Kustom Kulture. Sharing our love of the 1950's, Classic Cars, great music and amazing vintage inspired fashion was what inspired us and was the driver to expand. All the while we were also vending at events up and down the country.
We opened a second store in Timaru in 2018 to service our wonderful southern friends, and relocated our Hamilton East store to a much larger store in Hamilton's CBD (Worley Place) in 2019.
Judy, Charlotte, Ella, Suzie, April- Timaru
Worley Place, Hamilton CBD
After dipping our toes in corporate mall life with successful 'pop up' stores during the next two years, we then made the big move, and alongside the Hamilton CBD store we opened our biggest store yet at Te Awa, The Base in 2021. The CBD store traded until the end of it's lease and then combined with The Rockabilly Shop, Te Awa Mall.
Judy, Summer, Lyn, Emma-Jade, Jennifer, Tessa, Charlotte- Te Awa, The Base
As you can tell from the photo and masks, this was a volatile time to expand and covid came and gave us a good sucker punch. We said goodbye to our Timaru store and in 2023 for many reasons, we made the decision after more than a decade to leave the big city and move our business home to where we live, the gorgeous Edwardian Spa Town of Te Aroha.
Come and visit us, nestled under 'The Mountain of Love', at 153 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha. After more than a decade we still love what we do, and can't wait to see you!
Keep an eye on our socials to see what towns and events we are attending and come and say 'Hi'. It's always been a family affair, our girls have all worked in the business from the ground up. From packing your parcels, to marketing and managing stores. You may see four generations of us having fun at events. Family has always been the driving force behind our business, my team is my family, many of my customers are now my friends. How lucky am I!
Judy x
