Mitre 10 Mega has opened a new store in the Westgate development.

The West Auckland store is the 38th Mitre 10 Mega store in the country, and will cater for retail as well as the region’s trade professionals.

It also offers Columbus Coffee, 240 car parks, children’s playground, and drive thru for trade customers.

Dave and Elaine Hargreaves co-own the store with brothers Stephen and Graeme Ricketts.

Dave Hargreaves, who will oversee the day to day operations management of the store with Elaine, is excited about the opportunities that the Westgate development offers.

“We’re looking forward to watching the success of our newest store in the network – and I’m sure the Westgate locals are too. Our stores are always closely involved in their communities, and Westgate will be no exception,” Neil Cowie, Mitre 10 CEO, said.

He said the Ricketts family have a long history with Mitre 10 (the Ricketts family also own the Mitre 10 Mega Hastings and Napier stores and have been part of the Mitre 10 group since 1975) and that the Hargreaves have a huge amount of retail experience.

Mitre 10 Mega has also opened stores in Taupo, New Lynn and Porirua this year, aiming to add another three stores in the upcoming year.

The Westgate development includes commercial, street-based retail, entertainment, dining and office spaces, and is managed by the New Zealand Retail Property Group.

Features include a $6 million town square, a $15 million library, and six hectares of public open space, including parks and walkways. It is estimated that an extra 8500 jobs will be created.

“It’s an exciting new opportunity for the whole area, and Mitre 10 is the first cab off the rank within the retail development,” Hargreaves said.

“West Auckland is growing rapidly, and the new, bigger Mitre 10 Mega will be well positioned to service the DIY and trade needs of the many new West Aucklanders as well as those who have called the area home for many years.”