First opened in 1995, Reliquaire is a family owned and operated business in Latrobe, Tasmania. Sylvia and Kim Christie, teachers in a previous life, began the enterprise with a focus on antiques and restoration along with coffee and their famous homemade chocolate fudge.
Over time, the range expanded to include educational toys, collectible dolls and teddy bears. Their daughters’ influence led to fairy-themed items. As an addition to the restoration theme, they branched into lead-lighting and bronze figurines; ideal for the many period homes in the area.
The original Reliquaire store on Gilbert Street - courtesy of Directmap
Eventually, the range expanded to become a vast collection of interesting and unusual, which was made possible by the family’s opportunities to travel to Europe and America on buying ventures. Their stock included games, puzzles and Venetian masks, jewellery and many other interesting and unusual trinkets.
Firefighters battling the fire - courtesy of Tammeika Joyce
They were devastated when a ferocious fire destroyed the building and its contents in 2015, shortly before they were opening for the day. Firefighters and volunteer firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the fire but it rendered the building unsafe and so, it was demolished. Fortunately, no-one was seriously hurt but many irreplaceable items were lost.
The Christies, with the help of crowdfunding and support from the community generally, found a new temporary home in Hamilton Street from which to operate the store. Within two years, an impressive new store had been built.
The new Reliquiare store - courtesy of Christine Matheson
The re-opening of the new Gilbert Street store was celebrated on October 9th, 2017. Enhanced by a new cafe instore, serving locally roasted Villino coffee, the exciting new range included candles and skincare, clothing and handbags, jewellery, baby gifts, Disney and Alice in Wonderland collectibles, Christmas ornaments, replica Medieval swords and helmets, kitchenware and cookbooks, games and puzzles, wooden toys, puppets, dinosaurs, Harry Potter and Doctor Who themed areas.
The cafe - courtesy of Reliquaire
Reliquaire's beautiful, light-filled interior - courtesy of Reliquaire
Along with the physical store, Reliquaire has an amazing online store, with flat rate shipping of $14 Australia-wide. So, no need to miss out if lockdowns keep you from visiting them in person!
One of Reliquaire's amazing displays - courtesy of Reliquaire
Reliquaire has stocked Gilly’s range of waxes and polishes from the early days of operation and continues to support us.
