New owner enjoying a shorter commute

SAME BUT DIFFERENT: Brookes Stewart, the new owner of Pak’nSave in Gisborne. He previously owned the Wairoa New World, driving down every day from his Gisborne home. Picture by Paul Rickard

Gisborne Pak’nSave new owner Brookes Stewart is happy to be staying home and living out his dream job.

“The beauty of the Foodstuffs owner-operator model is when someone wants to move to a new store, or retire, Foodstuffs North Island put out an ‘Expression of Interest’ to the co-operative’s members, and they can apply to own and operate the store,” he said

Foodstuffs North Island operate the Pak’nSave, New World, Four Square and Gilmours brands in the North Island.

Previously, Brookes owned the New World Wairoa and said operators could only own one store at a time.

“I’ve lived in Gisborne for seven years and had been driving down to Wairoa every day.”

Originally from Auckland, Brookes became the owner- operator of New World in Wairoa seven years ago, most recently overseeing the opening of a newly built store there..

He is now looking forward to overseeing a planned major redevelopment of Gisborne Pak’nSave.

In the short-term customers could expect “little operational changes” to ensure we can keep our shelves full in the lead up to Christmas.

“There won’t be any significant changes this side of Christmas — that all gets done next year.”

Staffing levels would remain the same.

Brookes said it had been an ambition of his to own a Pak’nSave.

“I first worked in a Pak’nSave when I was 21 and loved the concept, the delivery and the operational aspect of it. As you become an owner-operator, you realise there’s more to it and the community plays a big part in your business thinking and how you can give back and support the community - and I just love Gizzy.

“As soon as I moved here, I just loved it. My kids all go to school here and I coached the Awapuni Primary Football Team on the weekends when my kids attended there.

“Gisborne has been my home for seven years and I love the place, I love the culture and I’ve been a part of the community ever since I arrived.

“This is a long-term thing. I’m 38 and I’m so excited to be realising my long-held dream.”

He takes over from long-time previous owner Ewan Atherton.