Expansion to be for better

The last of Wanganui's Four Square stores has now been renovated and begins a new life as a mini supermarket. For owner Bhim Chouhan, the change couldn't come soon enough

The transformation of St John Foodmarket into St John Four Square Supermarket has created four new full-time jobs, owner Bhim Chouhan says.

The new supermarket-style store launched this week with new sections for fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, a bigger chilled section, a new frozen goods section and a small bakery and kitchen for making bread and hot and cold food to go. The store will still sell wine and beer, and Lotto tickets.

In about two weeks, Mr Chouhan hopes to add a variety of takeaway meals that are cooked on site. The little kitchen at the back has a window into the store so customers can feel confident about hygiene.

The extension that more then doubles the store's size began in August, with Devon Homes as the builders. It was finished in late January, then decorated and fitted out.

The total cost came to nearly $500,000.

There are now eight staff as well as Mr Chouhan and his wife - three in the new kitchen at the back and five on the shop floor.

Some of the new workers were unemployed and are thrilled to have full-time jobs.

St John's is the last Four Square in Wanganui to be enlarged, in line with the policy of the group. Castlecliff, Aramoho and Eastbrook Food Market in Wanganui East have all expanded too.

"It's a small supermarket, carrying everything that a bigger one does," Mr Chouhan said.

He has owned the store for eight years and has been wanting to expand for the past three. It took time to get permission because the resource consent had to be publicly notified. Not that anyone was against the change.

"The community was 100 per cent behind it. No one objected, and we had supporting letters."

He is amazed at the loyalty of his customers, who kept coming in and buying even when construction was going on and the shop was dusty.

"I was surprised how much people love us and love the shop."