One of Invercargill's longest-standing local supermarkets welcomed customers back through its doors on the 17th of June, reopening as FreshChoice Plaza following a significant redevelopment.
Celebrations began at 9 am, with the community invited to be among the first to see the refreshed space. The morning will feature a performance by the Waihopai School Kapa Haka Group, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and the chance for locals to explore the redeveloped supermarket.
Formerly SuperValue Plaza, the supermarket has undergone an extensive transformation and now reopens under the continued ownership of Jigs Buha and his family.
For Buha, the project is about more than a new supermarket brand. It represents an investment in a community that has supported the store for more than five decades and a commitment to ensuring it remains a valued local destination for years to come.
"Plaza has always been more than just a supermarket to us. It's a place where people connect, meet neighbours and support local families," said Buha.
"We've been part of this community for many years, and investing in the store is our way of giving back to the people who have supported us. We believe Invercargill deserves a modern, fresh shopping experience while still maintaining the friendly, local service that customers value."
The refreshed store features a larger fresh food offering, an expanded grocery range and a redesigned layout to make shopping easier for local families. Customers will also find products from Southland suppliers, including Te Wae Eggs, Kaye's Bakery and Bowmont Meats.
Buha added that supporting local schools, sports clubs, charities and community groups will remain a key focus for the business.
"We want FreshChoice Plaza to be a place where people feel welcome and connected. Supporting local schools, sports clubs, community groups and charities is important to us because we're part of this community too.”
Behind the scenes, the redevelopment includes energy-efficient refrigeration, upgraded equipment and modern store systems, helping improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
FreshChoice Executive General Manager Tim Cartwright said FreshChoice Plaza reflects what makes locally owned supermarkets so important to the communities they serve.
"Local owner-operators know their communities better than anyone. Jigs and his team have created a store that celebrates everything locals already love about Plaza while bringing a fresh new offering that will serve Invercargill well into the future."
