Chief executive Craig Faulkner said they had been looking at Whanganui as an option for the past 18 months.
"We actually looked this building a year ago. But with Covid happening and a bit of uncertainly, we decided to sit for a while."
Faulker said they looked at a few other buildings in Whanganui, but this one fitted.
"There was just something about this that we felt would work really well. Whanganui was always on the radar because it really fits our customer profile.
"The comments we've had from locals have been amazing so far."
In 2019, CrackerJack made a significant strategy change in the way they operated and purchased stock.
"That was less China supply, and more quality, brand supply," Faulkner said.
"We focus a lot more on brand, quality and value."
The emergence of Covid-19 had caused a few stresses along the way, forcing them to adapt quickly as the country went into lockdown.
"In 10 days, we went from nothing, no online store, to having 1000 items on offer. We've never worked so hard ever."
They will be utilising the downstairs area of the building, spending the next eight weeks doing extensive upgrades and renovations before opening in late October.
"We have upstairs, but we are just going to focus down here at this point. The building is perfect for what we want to do.
"It will look quite a bit different when its all done."
