The Glass Shoppe is one of Wellington



Home Services Products	Overview The Glass Shoppe is one of Wellington's most diverse glass merchants. Formed in 1981 it has progressed from a leadlight studio into a large and capable glass company, handling work that ranges from Domestic window repairs to Shop windows and Commercial work. Perhaps though, The Glass Shoppe is best known for its stained glass (leadlight) work. It has undertaken some very prestigious projects including the restoration and conservation of windows in Parliament Buildings, St. James Theatre (a Wellington landmark), and the Maritime Museum. There was also the Marae stained glass window for the new National Museum, Te Papa.	Marae window, Te Papa This was a huge window comprised of over 30 individual panels and took two months of full time work to complete.

	History The Glass Shoppe evolved from humble beginnings when Bob Rowell and his wife Sue began making stained glass window hangings on the dining room table in the early 1970’s. Their part-time cottage industry flourished in those days and their stained glass craftwork sold well in local craft exhibitions and fairs. The part-time venture was placed under increasing demand, especially in 1978 when Bob and Sue joined a craft co-operative shop known as "Serendipity" in Wellington. In 1980 with such overwhelming demand for their stained glass work, Bob made the ambitious decision to leave his profession of Civil Engineering and work full time in glass. An old corner store was purchased at a prominent location in Lower Hutt and in 1980 Bob and Sue went into business full time trading as "The Leading Light Stained Glass Studio". The doors had barely been opened for trading when Stan Burney, an elderly retired leadlight craftsman and glazier arrived at the shop excited by the venture to revive the craft. Stan Burney trained Bob and subsequent staff in the production techniques of the leadlight trade – something that ultimately was a key to the successl of the business. "The Glass Shoppe is Born……….." Within 12 months of opening, Graeme Robertson, manager of a local branch of a nationwide glazing business approached Bob. Graeme could see that the shop’s location and the leadlight activity could compliment a full glass and glazing service. Graeme and Bob decided to enter into partnership into an expanded venture they decided to call The Glass Shoppe. Graeme was a great motivator and Bob saw this was an opportunity to work with Graeme and learn the fuller trade of flat glass and glazing. The Glass Shoppe flourished in the first year and the business and partnership worked well, and before long additional premises were required. In 1983, Graeme and his family decided to return to the Auckland area. Bob is indebted to Graeme for the great times they enjoyed in business partnership. Boom Times of the 80’s…………. In the mid 1980’s the business continued to grow. The economy was booming and workload increased together with levels of staff to cope with it. The Glass Shoppe continued to diversify and purchased an existing picture frame business that was brought under The Glass Shoppe umbrella. During these boom times, many glazing businesses concentrated on the lucrative multistorey work. The Glass Shoppe, however, focussed its attention on diversification and continued to build a customer base of domestic and small to medium sized commercial customers, which still remains an important feature of the business today. In 1986, a very capable and motivated locally trained glazier, Dean Tredrea, returned from several years working in the glazing trade in the U.K. to join The Glass Shoppe team. Dean showed exceptional talent in motivating the glazing team and worked hard to extend The Glass Shoppe into some major project work.	The 1990’s……diversification and The Glass Shoppe goes to Parliament and meets Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II In 1993 Bob invited Dean into partnership in the business and it has continued as a successful and happy partnership ever since. During the early 1990’s The Glass Shoppe, because of its status in stained glass restoration and manufacture was selected for the stained glass subcontract for The Parliament Buildings. This was a major stained glass project involving the cleaning, repairing and conservation of 300 existing stained glass panels and to design and manufacture 300 new panels. The Glass Shoppe work in the Parliament Buildings was held in such high esteem that their artisans were chosen to meet Queen Elizabeth II when she came to open refurbished buildings in 1996. Although much of the work undertaken over the years has been specialised and prestigious, The Glass Shoppe has never given any lesser priority to standard domestic or conventional glazing. The customer base has continued to grow over the years and The Glass Shoppe has many local homeowners, businesses, local bodies, property managers, schools and insurance companies featuring on their books. Many of these customers appreciate that a comprehensive service can be offered and everything in glass can be attended to..."from removing a chip from a crystal glass to reglazing a multi-storey building". A Second Store and into the New Millennium In the late 1990’s Bob and Dean believed it was time to open another shop to complement the van fleet servicing the Greater Wellington. A second store was opened in Porirua and used as a base to service both the Wellington and North Wellington areas. The Glass Shoppe today trades from the Lower Hutt and Porirua stores in conjunction with a fleet of six vehicles servicing the greater Wellington Area. In recent years The Glass Shoppe has further diversified into automotive and marine glazing and branched into stocking sheet plastics and custom plastic construction. Commitment to training our young people especially in apprenticeships has always been a feature of The Glass Shoppe. High expectations are put on these young people and frequently they top NZ in their national examinations. A very comprehensive service is offered in both shops and The Glass Shoppe operate a multitalented team that can attend to any glass requirement, whether it is practical, technical or artistic. We hope that you will familiarise yourself with our products and service on this website.

Home Services Products	The Management Team Bob Rowell – Managing Director Bob Rowell was the founder of The Glass Shoppe, which started as a hobby in stained glass. Bob is based at the Lower Hutt Branch and likes to be "hands on" as well as looking after your enquiries and quotations. Bob shares his love of glass with that of yachting and musical theatre (He has been seen in recent years prancing around the Town Hall stage in a tutu and fairy wings...a sight better left to the imagination). Michelle Carter – Accounts and Reception Michelle operates the accounts for both branches, from her base in the Lower Hutt branch. Michelle can assist with enquiries and quotations for most aspects of the business. Michelle’s brilliant service in the shop and on the phone is a lovely feature of the business…probably only matched by her serve on the tennis court.	Dean Tredrea – Managing Director Dean has a wealth of experience in glass and glazing both locally and overseas and became a business partner in 1993. Dean is based at the Porirua Store and remains "hands on" as well as being able to share years of experience and advice. 100 lengths of the pool every morning before he starts work, he plays rugby and soccer and pours a lot of energy into junior sport. Tom Rowell – Leadlight Manager Tom manages the team of artisans making the beautiful stained glass windows. As son of The Glass Shoppe’s founder, Tom is a "second generation" artisan and was brought up surrounded in coloured glass. He is absolutely passionate in creating glass and has exceptional talent to design and manufacture to your requirements. Tom enjoys music – all kinds. He also has a great appreciation for art in other media and is a regular squash player.
Home Services Products
Home Services Products	Where are we?

	3/9 Downer Street Ph: 570 1596 Fax: 570 1769	5 Jellicoe Street Ph: 237 0120 Fax: 237 6382
	• Wellington Ph: 472 2663 • Upper Hutt Ph: 527 0121 Should you wish to contact us, our e-mail address is: glass.shoppe@xtra.co.nz

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