Rapanui’s flagship store, at Sandown.
BUSINESS RAPANUI, the Island’s eco clothing company, has opened its flagship store.
The company, which was founded in 2008 and has traded online and through other stockists, took over the Sandown premises last year and has now converted them into a shop and the company’s main office.
To celebrate the High Street store’s opening, Rapanui is handing out 1,000 free cups of tea.
As well as stocking their pioneering brand of ecological and ethical clothing, the store stocks other eco products and serves local produce.
Rapanui co-founder Martin Drake-Knight said: "There are lots of great things about the Island, not least the amazing number of local companies that create genuine, locally sourced products.
"It ranges from local cheesemakers to garlic farmers through to artists making gifts from recycled deckchairs and old sail cloth.
"The aim was to create a place where people could come to try on and buy Rapanui products but, equally, to see all of the other rad Island stuff like us, all in one place.
"It’s about finding and showcasing the best of the Island’s sustainable lifestyle and local produce."
The local sourcing went as far as using reclaimed wood from Island sources, including some former parts of Ryde Pier.
Inside the new shop.
Reporter:
ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk