138 | Grocery business this couple’s destiny Tim and Kate Manson have had an interesting journey to get from their former location in Christchurch to living in the deep south. Four Square Stewart Island: 100 Year Anniversary T T Russell Fredric “I grew up knowing what Four Square was and seeing the stores around and seeing all the advertising and the branding.” COMMUNITY New Zealand’s southernmost Four Square store, which is owned by Tim and Kate Manson, is a vital asset to Stewart Island’s residents and visitors. Tim and Kate also own and run Four Square Bluff which, in addition to being parents to their two children aged four and seven, makes for a busy life for the couple. The two have had an interesting journey to get from their former location in Christchurch to living in the deep south, and it seems destiny had a hand in where they might eventually settle. “Kate and I met when we were working checkout operator jobs at a New World in Christchurch after school,” Tim says. After attending university and graduating with degrees in architecture and biochemistry respectively, they took on full-time management roles at New World, followed by working at Foodstuffs for several years. Tim eventually worked in various roles in supermarkets including in management, gaining valuable experience along the way. “Whilst we were there we were also working towards our approval to purchase a [Four Square] store and spent a year trying to find a store and then Bluff came up.” The family lives in Bluff, with Tim and Kate working between the two stores as needed. “We only purchased the Stewart Island store about six months ago and prior to that we purchased the store in Bluff; we’ve been in Bluff for about two-and-ahalf-years.” Four Square Bluff has a staff of 19 and the Stewart Island store eight. Both stores have food- preparation kitchens and offer a mouth-watering variety of food to go and, because it is the only food retailer on the island, Stewart Island Four Square stocks a necessarily wide range of products, including hardware and supplies for hunters, trampers and fishers. Its extensive beer and wine range is also a good reflection of the eclectic mix of tastes of residents and visitors, while local seafood and the famous Bluff oysters are among the great choice of fresh food and produce items available. Stock is delivered by boat and ordering needs to be well planned. “We get one main grocery delivery a week and then we get a couple of chilled and fresh produce deliveries during the week as well, so I guess we do have to be pretty organised because we are working about seven or eight days ahead of ourselves,” Tim says. The meat and fresh produce comes from a variety of sources, with South Island companies featuring strongly, including some meat being supplied by ‘paddock to plate’ focused Harris Farms in Cheviot, North Canterbury. “We definitely try and cater to local preferences and we also want to support local producers and we’ve got the ability to do that.” Nationally, Four Square celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 4 this year and Tim regards it as a privilege to be a part of such a well-recognised brand. “I grew up knowing what Four Square was and seeing the stores around and seeing all the advertising and the branding. “With the 100th birthday that we’ve just celebrated it’s reinforced that the brand is pretty cemented in New Zealanders’ psyche. “It’s pretty cool to be able to shape the brand in a way; we’re the next generation of grocers coming through and making it our own, but also looking back to what it has been.” Proud to support Four Square Stewart Island STEWART ISLAND BACKPACKERS as kiwi as it gets! Your hosts Aaron & Carol Joy 03-219-1114 | Office@stewartislandbackpackers.co.nz | 18 Ayr Street, Stewart Island www.stewartislandbackpackers.co.nz
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