Romantiques is one of Palmerston North’s oldest antiques stores housing gorgeous vintage finds from different eras and places.

The store itself is musty and smells of old books, and forgotten treasures.

I’ve been rummaging through Romantiques finds from my days as a young student with a limited ‘pocket-money’ budget.

The store owner is a lovely middle-aged lady with a distinctively husky voice. She peers at me through her reading glasses obscurely balanced on her fleshy nose, and nods with a sign of recognition.

In all these years, I’ve never asked of her name but this is Palmerston North, a little city where age-old friendships brew on recollections. She asks me where I am now, and even remembered the vintage ruby ring I bought off her years ago.

On this particular visit, I found something for my husband. He has always had a fascination with old pocket watches, and when I saw this Victorian rose-gold beauty I knew he would treasure it.

I can easily spend hours in Romantiques. The store seems magically haunted with untold stories of the past.

From heritage jewelry to pretty keepsakes and collectibles, Romantiques even sells retro furniture pieces and costumes dating back to the early sixties.

The stock is replenished often, and I am eagerly looking forward to my next visit to this treasure trove.