When John Storie closed his Four Square store on Tauranga's Devonport Road after 20 years and moved out to the then rustic surrounds of Oropi to open his new business, many thought he was crazy.

But after somewhat poignantly closing the doors of John's Produce Centre for the final time on Monday after 32 years of fruitful trading, John believes he's had the last laugh.

'When we built it was well out in the country and there was only one house across the road; maybe a couple up behind where there was a couple of kiwifruit farms.

'A lot of people didn't think we'd made the right decision because of the remoteness of it.”

After more than three decades serving the needs of the Oropi community and passing traffic along the increasingly busy State Highway 29A nearby however, he feels he made the right call.

'Yes, it's been a successful business.

'We left Devonport Road because we had lots of customers who would like to have shopped with us but could never find car parking. And so we decided to move out here where we had any amount of parking.”

As he approaches his 70th birthday in January, John feels it is the right moment to hang up his grocer's apron for the final time and retire. A contractor's business will shortly take over the building and land.

Since the sign went up announcing the end of an era for John and the Oropi community, customers have been sad, but incredibly supportive, says John.

'It's been massive, absolutely amazing really.

'For some of them it's going to be inconvenient but they've all been very good about it.

'There's been a lot sad to see it go but so many have called in specifically to wish us all the best and I'm overwhelmed with the amount of support from the community.”

For John, retirement means catching up with family and enjoying life in a community that still retains some of the rural character they moved into 32 years ago.

'We're still going to live in Oropi, and no doubt our loyal customers will see us around the square somewhere.”

Although John feels it is time to draw the line after 52 years in the retail trade there is a touch of sadness for him.

'We'll miss all the people we've met over the years. Some of our customers we've seen as babies and they're now our customers carrying their own babies. So it's gone the whole cycle.”

He also spares a thought for the staff who've stood by him and been a key part of the success of the business over the years, but will now be looking for new employment.

'We have a couple of very loyal full-time staff, Wayne Hill and Michael Grant. One has been with us for the whole 32 years, and another for 12 years.

'We wish them the best knowing that they're good, loyal staff.”

The alarm clock ringing at 5am, however, he will not miss. But an early start in the morning is key to getting on in business, he says.

'We have to go to market to pick up the goods at around six o'clock, and so by the time we've done that, set up shop, and done wholesale orders, it's essential.

'Otherwise if you don't do the hours you don't succeed.”