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Jess and Ant Pedersen
Ant, 32, and Jess Pedersen, 30, have taken over the former Jaques Four Square in Kaiwaka.
The couple have moved from Tauranga where they owned a Four Square for nearly four years.
They jumped at the chance to move to Kaiwaka when they heard that the Jaques Four Square was on the market.
“It’s a great community in a really cool part of New Zealand, and we wanted the challenge of taking over the reins of a bigger store,” Ant says.
The significance of taking over a store that had been owned by a single family for 96 years is not lost on them.
“We are very much here to evolve the Jaques legacy, look after people and serve the community the best we can,” Ant says.
“We have huge boots to fill. It’s a case of carrying on that incredible work, and having an ear to the ground on what the community wants to see more of from their local shop.”
Ant says he recognises there is an element of social responsibility involved in owning a local supermarket, and the Pedersens are already rolling out some new community initiatives.
The Four Square Kaiwaka will hold free fitness sessions with local trainer Siobhan Henderson, at the Kaiwaka Fitness Centre.
The classes will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm, starting after Waitangi Weekend.
“Just turn up with a drink bottle,” Ant says.
The store is also launching a “local legends” programme, where a “good sort”, nominated by the community, will be awarded a hamper or voucher.
“This is a community hub. Let’s honour and put the spotlight on those doing good things,” Ant says.
When they are not working, Ant and Jess are busy raising their two young children.
Before becoming Four Square store owners, Jess was a nurse, while Ant was an accountant and a race car driver.
He raced V8 Supercars in Australia and Porsches in New Zealand.
