The expanded Four Square store at the Central Hawke’s Bay town of Waipawa is now open, rebuilt after a devastating fire three and a half years ago.

The store now has 560sqm of retail space and offers over 5000 products. It also has an in-store butchery and bakery, three team member-operated checkouts, and two self-scan checkouts.

“My main goal is to deliver the best for our locals – great prices, quality products, and exceptional service,” said co-owner-operator Rachel Williams.

The store was destroyed after a fire started in the bakery oven’s flue in May 2021. Fo the past three years the business operated from a nearby temporary pop-up location while the new premises were designed and built.

“The fire was devastating,” recalls Williams. “It wasn’t easy, and we definitely thought about packing up. But Graham and I are passionate about serving our community. With the support of Waipawa, we knew we could rebuild.

“The support we’ve received after the fire and while operating from the pop-up shop has been overwhelming.”

Four Square Waipawa is part of the Foodstuffs North Island cooperative.