Village Fish and Chips owner Charlie Chung hopes Havelock North locals will stay loyal when the shop moves at the end of this month.
Mr Chung's lease will not be renewed after February 25 and now he's looking for a new spot to set up shop.
"I've lived in Havelock North for
30 years and I've been in this shop for 10," he said. "My customers are really nice, friendly, happy people."
He knew many of his customers by name and some did not even need to place their order, he knew what they wanted.
It would cost him a considerable amount to either buy into an existing shop, or set up from scratch because he could not sell his current business as an existing concern once the lease expired, but he was determined to continue.
"I must open another one to see my customers again," he said. "If I stop working I have to go on social welfare, I don't want to do this."
The change was made harder because Mr Chung was supporting his wife who until recently was in Palmerston North Hospital being treated for breast cancer.
Family in the US had invited the couple to move there and live with them but the Chungs intended to stay in the house they had lived in for 30 years.
"In two or three months I'll set up a new shop. I want people to come back when we open," he said. "My customers are like my family. I don't take much time off but it's okay, I'm happy."
