This two-storeyed Oamaru stone building in lower Thames Street, Oamaru, was constructed in 1882. It was first occupied by Messrs Matthews and Glass, house decorators, who remained there until 1885. Although the name of the architect is not known, the Victorian Italianate design is similar to that used for many of the town's commercial premises.
(Mr J Gemmell's building at the right of the picture, now Office Products Depot. Bracken's Print, dates from around the same period.)
Matthews and Glass were followed by J Taylor, cabinet maker (1889 -1897) and bootmaker D Brown. The photographer J H erex was based there between 1899 and 1900, but the New Zealand Insurance Co Ltd had one of the longest occupancies ≠ from about 1908 until the late 1960s.
Stringer Wilson and Perkins, funeral directors (located next door), acquired the building, extended their existing premises, and added a street level facade, partly constructed of Summerhill stone. The Oikos Community Centre came later.
In 1993 the building was purchased by Duncan and John McKenzie. The stonework was cleaned and repaired, the unsym athetic frontage removed, and the interior remodelled. Today, Omru Blue, a tourist orientated business specialising in New Zealand-made products, occupies the downstairs shop. The upper storey has been adapted for use as rental accommodation.