A long-standing Te Puna grocery store is entering a new era, with its owners opening a significantly larger Four Square to meet growing demand in the Western Bay.

Pritesh and Dipti Bhikha, who have owned Four Square Te Puna for 16 years, have relocated into a purpose-built store behind their original site, nearly doubling capacity and expanding services for locals.

The couple first chose Te Puna in 2009 after travelling across the North Island to find the right community in which to invest, a statement this week said.

Originally from Fiji, they say the area stood out for its welcoming feel and strong sense of connection – something that has shaped how they have run the store ever since.

Over the years, Four Square Te Puna has evolved into more than a grocery outlet, becoming a regular meeting point for residents.

Dipti Bhikha said it’s common to see neighbours catching up in-store while ticking off their daily shopping.

“Life gets busy, and this has become a place where people can pause and take a moment together,” she said.

The new store marks a major step forward for the business, replacing the ageing 1969 building, which had reached its limits.

“We had completely maxed out the space,” Pritesh Bhikha said.

“This brand-new store gives us the chance to offer more – especially in fresh food and overall range.”

The old Four Square Te Puna store was demolished to make room for the new Four Square Te Puna behind.

At 622sq m, the new supermarket is almost twice the size of the original and features an expanded produce section, upgraded butchery and seafood offerings, and a wider range of ready-to-eat options including hot meals and barista coffee.

Customer flow has also been improved, with three staffed checkouts, three self-scan stations, and an additional checkout to reduce waiting times.

Outside, a new 31-space carpark has been created following the demolition of the original building earlier this week.

The expansion is expected to create between four and six new jobs, increasing staff numbers from 14 to up to 20.

The Bhikhas say the larger store is a response to both population growth in the area and increasing traffic congestion into Tauranga city.

“We hear it all the time – people don’t want to sit in traffic if they don’t have to,” Pritesh said.

“If we can make life easier for our customers, and keep things local, that’s a big win.”

The store will continue to offer key services including Lotto and NZ Post, alongside an extended product range of more than 5500 items.

Despite the expansion, the owners say their focus remains unchanged – maintaining a strong connection with the local community that has supported them since they arrived.

They continue to support nearby schools and local rugby clubs, including Te Puna Rugby.

For Dipti, the new build represents a milestone moment after years of planning.

“This is our dream. We’ve never even built a house before, and now we’ve built a brand-new store from scratch,” she said.

“When the signage went up, it really hit us,” Pritesh added.

“Seeing words like ‘your local fresh store’ and ‘friendly neighbourhood store’ – that’s exactly what we’ve always wanted to be.”

The new Four Square Te Puna store is open seven days a week from 6am to 7pm, continuing its role as a central hub for the growing Te Puna community.