Four Square Mount Maunganui will be celebrating 100 years of Four Square on July 4.

Four Square’s roots stretch back a century ago when on July 4, 1924, a square was drawn around the ‘4’ in the calendar by local grocer and Four Square founder, J Heaton Barker.

Four Square was the name Barker gave to the co-operative buying group of local grocers because they “would stand Four Square to all the winds that blew”.

Sasa Overend, owner operator of Four Square Mount Maunganui, says he’s looking forward to celebrating Four Square’s centenary with his local community.

“A 100th anniversary is a massive milestone and not something we could’ve reached alone,” he says.

“Come on down to the store on the 4th [of July], where we’ll have giveaways, instore specials, limited edition merchandise, competitions and free birthday cake.

"We’re using this milestone as an opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year.”

Sasa reckons Tauranga has it all: surfers, sun-kissed hair, salty air, and the ever-present Mount Maunganui silhouetted against an endless blue sky.

But, for a long time, the ever-growing apartment dwellers and visitors to the main street didn’t have a supermarket within convenient walking distance.

That's where seasoned grocer Sasa stepped in, moving to the Mount with his family in late 2023 and opening the doors of Four Square Mount Maunganui.

"Everything about this supermarket was designed to integrate seamlessly into the lifestyle here – relaxed, convenient, and offering everything from a post-surf cold drink to a quick bite to eat," Sasa says.

“We're in an area with lots of cafes and restaurants, so we tried to deliver something that draws people in."

For many in Mount Maunganui, the store was a long time coming. With a full-service supermarket located a decent walk away, running out to grab a few dinner essentials after a long day took a bit more forward planning.

"A few kilometres might not seem like much," Sasa says, "but it can feel like triple that when you're trying to walk home with two full bags of groceries, especially if you're a tourist without a car."

Stepping into Four Square Mount Maunganui is a visual treat. Built to the latest Four Square format, the layout has a fresh contemporary color scheme and energy-saving LED lighting.

"One of the coolest things about this format is the look and feel of the store.

"It's more than just functionality, the overall aesthetic is designed to draw people in and make our offerings stand out.

"You don't get that in any other shops apart from the newer Four Squares.

Four Square Mount Maunganui owner operators Sasa and Tania Overend at Pilot Bay, a two-minute walk from the store, and the Mount in the background. Photo supplied.

"It's a contemporary take on the Four Square that everyone knows and loves, geared towards the needs of today’s shopper."

The store is also set up to cater to the thousands of tourists who come in from the cruise ships at any given time, totally equipped for the occasional rush.

“We have five self-service checkout stations, and three manned checkouts, meaning customers can choose how they want to pay, and we can keep the flow going,” Sasa explains.

The store also has wide aisles which provide ample space for everyone, sustainable gas to keep the fridges eco-friendly, and a massive chiller by the checkout that ensures ice cold beverages are readily available on scorching summer days.

“It’s great to be able to offer all these options for our customers,” Sasa says.

“It’s important to me that we continue delivering the best possible shopping experience for everyone involved in our store, and the positive feedback we’ve heard from locals has been so rewarding.

"The building is owned by the local iwi, who’ve told us they’re proud of the shop, which meant a lot.”

Sasa and his family call Mount Maunganui home, and live metres from the store.

"Being immersed in the community is fantastic," he says. "The sunshine, the relaxed atmosphere, the stunning sunsets with the Mount in the background – it's a lifestyle I truly cherish.

"I can't wait for next summer when we'll be more established and have even more to offer.

“Here’s to a Hundy and many more to come!”