For many years this building in Ariki Street was known as the 'Army Stores'.
NPDC has a plan for the building dated 12 January 1923 drawn by F.H. Hay. A permit was issued to J.S. Watson on 9 April 1923 for a building on Lot 20 in Ariki Street. The builders were Hay & Spindler and the estimated cost was £130. J.S. Watson was a furniture dealer.
In 1937 John Pool bought the shop - then a second-hand store and lending library - and opened the Army Store. The business changed its name in 1993 to "Kiwi Outdoors" to reflect changing leisure activities. Kiwi Outdoors closed in 2015.
In 2016 the 'Stone bath' outlet shop opened in the building. The business moved to new premises in 2018.
Following this the Mexican-themed restaurant franchise 'Mad Mex' opened in the building, closing in 2022. This in turn was replaced by a new fast-food franchise, 'Downlow', featuring American "comfort food".
In July 2025, the Asian-inspired restaurant chain 'Rice Rice Baby' opened a branch in this building.
Related documents:
Taranaki (Lot 20) DP578 Sheet 1 Mt Eliot Harbour Reserve (1893), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
Kiwi Outdoors Centre: New name reflects 90s focus (Daily News 4 October 1993)
Mr Outdoors loses battle for survival (Taranaki Daily News 7 February 2015)
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