Folders Kaitaia is on the move

Ian and Anne Walker are about to relocate their 100% Folders and Folders Electronics stores, currently in separate premises at the southern end of Kaitaia's main street, to 15 North Park Drive, next door to Mitre 10 Home and Trade, once what they say will be the largest store of its type north of Whangarei is completed.

Mr Walker said the new building represented a significant milestone for a company that began life in Melba St as the tiny Kaitaia Computer Shop. And it had done more than get bigger.

"Our success has been acknowledged with industry awards, large corporate suppliers now taking us seriously, and being able to attract highly-qualified people to work for us," he said.

"Since those early days, the business has grown more than 20 times in size. And with the ability to acquire and display a greater product range and at retail prices guaranteed to be as good as anywhere, we expect growth to continue."

The decision to move to North Park Drive had not been an easy one to make, being reached only after exhaustive but unsuccessful efforts were made to find suitable premises "in town".

The Walkers were aware that concern has been expressed over their other business, retail brand stationery, homeware and bookshop Marston Moor, but gave an assurance that they had no intention of relocating that business from its current site at 74 Commerce St.

Marston Moor had recently undergone significant positive change, Mr Walker said, including leaving the Paper Plus Group to provide a better service at better prices, and he and Anne were extremely pleased with the results to date.

Meanwhile, the new Folders store would boast state-of-the-art technology, great service, the best expert advice, and products that would make it a "real destination".

"Our marketing strategy, based on extensive research, is to curb the drive south currently taken by many, thinking they get better deals in Kerikeri, Whangarei or Auckland, and actually reverse the trend, attracting customers north," Mr Walker added.

"As well as consumer goods, Folders provides a wide range of commercial services, including security systems, alternative energy systems, high-speed fibre internet connections to schools and commercial server network design and installation.

"If construction stays on schedule, we expect to open the doors mid to late November."

The expansion, he added, was very much in Kaitaia's best interests.

"Anne and I are loyal locals who compete successfully with big corporates, which, other than providing a few jobs, take more than 70 per cent of their earnings out of the community," he said.

"Community support and buying local is key for our town to progress, but to achieve local loyalty, we need to supply the community with what it needs and wants."

"Once it opens, the new store will be really worth a visit."