The vibrant and eclectic window display at Epic Health Medical Practice, a holistic health community hub at 1298 Cameron Rd, has taken first place in the Greerton Village Retro Fest Window Dressing Competition, earning $800 in advertising with The Weekend Sun.

“It has a touch of everything,” said judge Maureen Kathan, manager of the Tauranga South Community Patrol.

“From the early 30s through to the 60s — a bit of punk, roller skates we all grew up with, Marilyn Monroe, even an old bra and gramophone. Then it transitions into the 60s with jeans, big belts, and the rock ‘n’ roll era. And that dress at the end — it’s so eye-catching.”

Participants were invited to theme their windows around any decade from the 1920s to the 1990s, encompassing styles from flapper dresses to grunge and boomboxes. While some shops focused on a single era, Epic Health spanned several decades across its expansive four-window frontage, showcasing a detailed timeline of vintage flair.

“They’ve made great use of the space, putting real thought into the display,” Kathan said.

Epic Health Medical Practice administrator Natasha Bates with judge Maureen Kathan. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Epic Health’s administrator Natasha Bates said creative credit goes to Shirlz Kelly and Mel Holt, who bring a passion for community to the window design.

“I used to help the poor with ‘Under the Stars’, and then I met Dr Emma Stanley. That’s why we now have the Inner Light charity shop at the front of the hub,” Kelly said. “We support patient hardship funding — for those who can’t afford to see a doctor or dentist, and people in crisis, regardless of their background. Mel ‘the star’ and I used our own collections for the window.”

During Saturday’s Retro Fest, Kelly plans to set up a funky art display outside Epic Health.

“It’s to promote the hub and raise awareness. So, people know that if they’re in crisis, they can come here.”

Other standout displays in Greerton

Second place went to Robyn’s Cottage, where owner Robyn Parker curated a nostalgic window full of personal family treasures.

Robyn Parker at Robyn’s Cottage with personal items displayed in the window. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

“The dress and shoes were worn by my sister on October 31, 1976,” said Parker.

Her display includes tapestry from 1955, Simplicity patterns alongside dresses made from them, a smocked child’s dress, crocheted doilies, orange 70s tablecloths, old 300ml and 600ml milk bottles, a Buzzy Bee toy, and even her childhood kindy suitcase.

“Mr Ted in the chair is 61 years old — my teddy bear from my first Christmas,” she said. “I went and raided my sister’s attic. The black dress is from 1973, and the white one is from my sister’s first Tauranga Electric Powerboard event in 1974.”

Zest Café and Bakery owner Kay Perry with their retro window display. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Zest Café and Bakery claimed third place with a 1950s-inspired display featuring LP records, a film camera, a sewing machine, and a vintage dress more than 60 years old worn by owner Kay Perry as a teenager.

“In those days, you saved a long time for a dress like that,” Perry said.

Highly commended displays

At St Vincent de Paul Greerton on Chadwick Rd, manager Sue Hall and colleague Doris Basher showcased a colourful journey through the past 100 years using donated items, including a knitted poncho, vintage shoes, and a retro Mickey Mouse.

Doris Basher with the St Vincent de Paul Greerton window display. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

“It’s more retro than anything,” said Hall. “It took us a couple of hours to put together.”

The Red Cross Shop in Greerton also earned a highly commended mention for its striking 70s “flower power” theme, thanks to a well-timed donation.

The Red Cross Shop in Greerton with a 70s “flower power” theme. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

“About three weeks ago, someone donated most of what’s now in the window,” said regional manager Gina Dow. “It felt like someone was watching out for us.

“We kept it simple. We want it to be an impact for customers to see it and not be too busy.”

Greerton’s Red Cross manager Deb Babkins, who helped set up the display, recalled, “I was in San Francisco during the flower power era — bell-bottoms and the rise of jeans. It was hippy time.”

The Casita team outside one of their colourful windows. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Casita on Cameron Rd embraced eras from the 1930s to the 70s with a thoughtfully curated colour-schemed display.

“The tins are from the 30s to 50s, and the Pyrex is from my personal collection,” said manager Rebecca Burns. “The rest was collected and put together.”

Waipuna Hospice Charity Shop’s window features a 1961 Vespa. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

At the Waipuna Hospice Charity Shop, a pale yellow 1961 50cc Vespa Sportique scooter stole the spotlight, stopping passers-by in their tracks. On loan from the brother of assistant manager Lisa O’Dwyer, the scooter anchors a 60s-themed scene with LPs, caravan imagery, clothing, and picnic items.

The window at Visique Greerton Optometrist. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Visique Greerton Optometrist joined the Retro Fest celebration with a stylish window featuring clothing and accessories from the 1920s through to the 70s — complete with era-specific signwriting, glasses, dresses, hats, and jewellery.

One of the windows at Greerton’s Salvation Army Family Store. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Around the corner, the Salvation Army Family Store added to the retro flair with vibrant mannequins dressed in vintage hats and garments.

A unique tribute

One particularly touching display is at MDS Leatherworks, featuring handmade pieces by Valentine Scrivener, a beloved local fabric artist who passed away in 2017. Her felted handbags and fashion items are on show and available for purchase. Scrivener, who captained the Tauranga Aero Club in the late 50s or early 60s, made all her children’s clothes and was an avid knitter.

Some of the handmade felted handbags in the Valentine Scrivener exhibition and sale at MDS Leatherworks. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Her daughters, Janice Giles and Judy Alvos, both pursued artistic careers — Alvos founding fashion brand Expozay and Giles becoming one of Tauranga’s most respected artists.

Scrivener’s collection was last displayed in 2019 at Mary Borman’s High St Boutique, which now operates online. Borman will be one of the fashion competition judges at this year’s Retro Fest, happening Saturday, May 31 from 11am to 3pm.