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Olivers Collection Heritage Influence

The name Olivers is synonymous with the historic town of Clyde which had its beginnings in the 1860s as a goldmining village supplying services to miners seeking their fortunes on the local goldfields.

The historic buildings that comprise today’s Olivers Collection began as the Victoria Store owned by enterprising merchant Benjamin Naylor who sold mining equipment, food and other necessary provisions to the thousands of miners arriving in Clyde.

Built in 1869 the imposing stone structure was followed by the addition of a large homestead, complete with barns and stables. By the 1890s Naylor had built eight stone buildings in total on his property.

The Victoria Store was transformed to house the renowned Olivers Restaurant in the 1970s by tourism identity Fleur Sullivan. After a series of different owners the heritage listed property was purchased by Andrea and David Ritchie in 2010.

“The buildings were in desperate need of repair and a process of regeneration began,” says David.  “We completed the painstakingly thorough restoration in 2015 and the Olivers Collection now includes an award-winning restaurant, a craft brewery and a café and delicatessen in the original stone store.”

In addition boutique accommodation reflecting Clyde’s heritage provides a luxury Central Otago experience within Olivers Lodge & Stables. This is complemented by The Lord Clyde, a century old stone building opposite Olivers. This two-storey schist building combines original and contemporary features which together create a warm and welcoming ambience.

“Our accommodation has proven to be a popular stopover for both international and New Zealand visitors and works well for those enjoying the many local cycling trails,” says David.