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Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, shoppers and aisle wanderers – welcome to Kmart Bethlehem.

After 11 months of planning and construction the Australasian retail giant has officially opened its doors to the public following a special ceremony which took place this morning.

From left, Kmart Bethlehem store manager Forrest Worthen, long-serving Kmart employee Jan McKinnon, Ngāti Kahu kuia Ngaronoa Reweti-Ngata, and Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

This morning's ceremony began with a blessing of the site carried out by kaumātua of local iwi Ngāti Kahu and Ngāti Hangarau, followed by formal speeches.

The ribbon was then cut by Kmart's longest serving Tauranga employee (23 years) Jan McKinnon and Ngāti Kahu kuia Ngaronoa Reweti-Ngata.

Bethlehem Town Centre manager Andrew Wadsworth says the opening was a fantastic event which saw some 40 people brave the weather to attend this morning's opening.

'We had customers queuing up well before 8am, so the Kmart staff let them in early so they weren't out in this lovely weather,” he says.

'The doors have been opened since 7.50am and there's been a steady flow of people since, in fact the carpark is rapidly filling up as we speak which is simply fantastic for the centre and Kmart.”

Also attending this morning's ceremony was Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby, who described the opening as a fantastic event.

Stuart says Kmart will be a great addition to the town centre and the store will serve not only the Bethlehem community but the broader Tauranga community too.

'I have no doubt it will attract people to the centre and also support the other shops and eateries that are there.

'In fact, I've learned this morning that a number of shops neighbouring Kmart have already experienced an increase in customers already which is great news.”

For one shopper, the opening of the store came as a complete surprise.

With work rained off, builder Tom Foord says he was on his way home when he spied a gathering of people outside the store this morning.

'I actually had no idea, I thought Kmart was already opened so it was a bit of a good surprise this morning,” he says.

'I got myself a goodie bag as I walked in and scored myself a few bargains on work gear, some high-vis and socks for winter, so yeah it's been a good morning.”