Wayne and Nita Kelsall's decision to liquidate had been caused by a combination of rising meat prices and aggressive pricing competition from supermarkets.
Tauranga Mad Butcher was situated near a Countdown and a Pak'nSave, while recent months have also seen the opening of a second Pak'nSave in Tauriko and a SuperValue in Pyes Pa, which had fragmented the market even further.
Perhaps it is a sign of the times.
We are now accustomed to getting our groceries from a one-stop shop. Increasingly convenience and price rather than service and quality are the main factors influencing our purchasing decisions.
Shopping is usually done on the way home from work or at the weekends -- a chore to be done in the shortest time possible.
However, it's important that we support local businesses - just as they support the local community in terms of employment and by providing much needed goods and services.