Nelson Classic Car Museum is New Zealand’s coolest car collection, and its accompanying gift store is an excellent match, a vibrant hub of handcrafted artistry and unique finds. The museum store offers an enormous variety of products, from locally made jewellery to excellent car books, and jigsaw puzzles to exclusive museum merchandise - a true treasure trove for all shoppers and enthusiasts alike.
For Diane and the team, customer satisfaction is the ultimate reward. Constantly sourcing new and eclectic giftable pieces to excite regulars, and those in need of something special or unique, seeing visitors’ reactions to the stunning collection is a daily highlight. “It’s always exciting to see something new and to witness the delight of our customers as they explore the diverse offerings.”
One of the store’s standout features is its strong emphasis on local products. “We are so privileged to have local artists who trust us to sell their work at the museum. It’s really the customers that curate the shop—if something sells, we continue to stock it. If we are asked for something we don’t have, we find it! Worldwide museums have excellent gift stores, and we want to echo that here in Nelson.”
The store plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall visitor experience at the Nelson Classic Car Museum. Whether visitors are spending the day immersed in the museum’s collection, grabbing a quick coffee, or shopping for a special souvenir, the store offers something for everyone and every budget.
A small selection is available online with nationwide delivery and, for locals, it’s a convenient stop for gift shopping, complete with hassle-free parking, complimentary gift wrapping, and a coffee to go from the popular cafe. To keep the store fresh and exciting, the team hosts creative workshops, late night shopping, and regular car events.
Looking to the future, the team are already preparing for the festive season. With three staff members sourcing new stock, each with their unique tastes, every day feels like Christmas when new items arrive.
“New stock is always arriving, and it certainly makes our working day entertaining,” says Diane. “Christmas is coming, so that is our next big focus. The wrapping paper is ordered, and the stock is starting to arrive. We have more local potters joining the selection, and existing artists are working on new and favourite items.”
Nelson Classic Car Museum Late-Night Christmas Shopping events start mid-November. From then, both the museum and store will remain open late on Thursday nights, offering visitors the chance to shop, sip, and explore the museum’s private car collection until 8:30pm. It will be the perfect opportunity to experience the Nelson Classic Car Museum Store in all its festive glory.
Nelson Classic Car Museum Store
1 Cadillac Way, Annesbrook, Nelson
