Just like the Olde Towne itself, an iconic women’s clothing and accessories store in St George has been given a makeover.

Frangipani, long a favourite of discerning shoppers, has re-opened after a refurbishment that included plastering and cementing of walls, fresh paint, the stripping and refinishing of floors and the installation of new display cases.

Owner Chris Bryan has operated Frangipani in St George since 2009.

He said the re-opening, after a winter of Saturdays-only operations, temporary lockdowns and the makeover, has delighted its loyal local clientele.

Mr Bryan said: “People were champing at the bit; they have been at the store non-stop asking us when we are re-opening.

“I think we’ll do well, people are excited that we are re-opening.”

Visitors to the Water Street shop will find “more of a fashion line”, Mr Bryan said.

Frangipani features a complete fresh line of solid colours and prints as well as new garment shapes – tops, dresses and pants.

Mr Bryan said the fresh lines of solid colours complement and match the store’s many Batik stylings.

He added: “Now, if you buy two bottoms and three tops, you will have six outfits. You can mix and match.”

Mr Bryan added that the shop has “all new colours and variants, and also new lines plus hats, and costume jewellery … really the full package.

“Come and shop and find some lovely things for the summer and the outdoor season.”

Despite the closing and re-opening of retail stores last year due to on-off Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, Mr Bryan said: “For stretches without restrictions, we did fairly well.”

But Frangipani’s Hamilton outlet in Washington Mall, opened in 2010, did not fare as well; Mr Bryan closed it for good in January.

He said the East End store is favoured by Frangipani’s clientele.

Mr Bryan said: “St George is a more attractive location. Many people from the West End come to St George. They find they love the aesthetics of the drive down, and it gets them out of the house.

“The isolated shop, versus the mall location, is a more pleasurable experience for a lot of people.”

Mr Bryan added: “Local support is so important to everybody in these times.”

Frangipani also has a loyal tourist following.

Mr Bryan said: “A lot of visitors to the St George’s Club and Grotto Bay - we get requests from people before they come down.”

He added: “Effectively, there was no season last year. Retail worldwide is not easy, and we have a limited population so tourism’s future is vital for us.”

Mr Bryan said he was encouraged by the revitalisation of St George.

He added: “We will do well as long as we move forward in the big picture. I think St George will come to life.”

Frangipani, at 13 Water Street in the Town of St George, is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am until 5pm.