Twenty five years of helping Havelock

25 years of serving Havelock locals and guests is an innings to be celebrated by Four Square owners Grant and Christine Fisk.

Grant and Christine took over the store on October 9 2000, after moving from Wellington to Havelock with their two young children, drawn south after Christine’s mother suggested they look at the local Four Square store that was for sale next to the Darling Dill (now Rays Place).

They are now marking a quarter of a century of serving a local need, celebrating with regulars and giving back to their seaside community.

“When we arrived, the shelves were bare - regular holidaymakers and bach owners were used to bringing their groceries with them on the plane,” Christine recalls.

“We worked hard to build up the store and win back the community’s trust, and within 18 months people were shopping with us again.”

25 years on, thhe staff of seven part-time and full-time staff now includes their son and store manage Glenn, daughter Sarah who works part-time after having her own children, and a focus on local students.

The store provides grocery deliveries via the Pelorus Mail Boat to residents and holidaymakers around the Pelorus Sound and supports local suppliers including Mussel Magnet fish bait from Mills Bay Mussels, and J Bush & Sons Honey, a longtime pantry staple for many Marlburians.

It’s also the only Four Square in the South Island to sell some of Marlborough’s finest kaimoana, live greenshell mussels. Bananas and beer are among the store’s top selling items, and greenshell mussels are in the top 10.

“Supporting local youth to get their start has always been a priority for us and, over the years, we’ve offered plenty of opportunities for students to gain valuable work experience.”

The Fisks’ community contributions have ranged from sponsoring rugby teams and supplying bread rolls for the Pelorus Area Health Trust’s weekly soup run, to giving support, goods and vouchers for school camps, events and projects.

Both have volunteered their time too – Grant as a volunteer for the Havelock fire brigade and Christine with St John New Zealand. Christine also helped start the local preschool and is about to be sworn in as a Justice of the Peace.

“Supporting our community has always been part of what we do,” says Grant. “There’s hardly a local organisation we haven’t supported in some way – from the Lions Club and local schools to the Men’s Shed, sports clubs, and the Havelock Museum.”

Looking ahead, the couple plan to continue supporting their town, with new freezers arriving instore before Christmas to ensure they’re ready for the busy summer ahead.

“We love the buzz of summer when our trading trebles, and then the quiet of winter when we can catch our breath. Havelock has been good to us, and we’re proud to have been part of this community for 25 years.”