After 12 years, Kelly and Don McDonald have decided to step down as owner-operators of FreshChoice Methven.
They have passed the baton to Maddy Phillips and Mat Bassett, who have a personal connection to the Canterbury region, retail experience and passion for local farming.
For Phillips, taking the helm is a full-circle moment. She started her career at 16 as a checkout operator at Woolworths, worked her way up through store management, supported e-commerce operations and eventually moved into a corporate role as an employment relations specialist.
But despite reaching her corporate goals, her heart remained on the shop floor.
While she brings extensive supermarket expertise, Bassett’s background comes straight from the land. A lifelong farmer who runs an arable and cropping farm in Ashburton with his family, he saw the new store as a unique bridge between agriculture and consumers.
Following three months of intensive training at the Prebbleton FreshChoice store, Phillips and Bassett spent several weeks learning the ropes.
Choosing Methven was an easy decision for the pair. Just 40 minutes from Bassett’s family farm, the town holds personal history for him, as his mother grew up in the area and he still has family farming nearby.
The pair have kept all existing team members and are eager to dive into local life, with Bassett planning to join the local squash club. Both are committed to ensuring store sponsorships and community support go directly where they are needed most.
Locals can also look forward to new additions on the shelves, including a thickshake machine Bassett was particularly eager to install.
Mat Bassett and Maddy Phillips with the old owners Kelly and Don McDonald at FreshChoice Methven
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