New Hawera Family Store opens

Hundreds of people turned out for the opening of the new Salvation Army Hawera Family Store, the fourth store in the Taranaki area.

The 400 square metre building opened on 17 June with a local kaumatua blessing the site, while Captain Karl Foreman from New Plymouth Corps did the karakia and delivered remarks. Salvation Army staff, volunteers and members of the local community attended.

Other opening activities included a BBQ, a performance by the Youth Brass Band and the fun presence of Shieldy, The Salvation Army mascot.

‘It was awesome to see the strong support of the local community,’ says Taranaki Area Family Store Manager Josh Bollen.

The new Hawera Family Store has a generous store space and free parking on site. It is well located on the edge of the Hawera central business district, right next door to The Warehouse and local bowling and croquet clubs.’ 

Josh says that other Family Stores donated items, such as clothing, books, furniture and bric-a-brac, to kickstart the Hawera Family Store.

Many people took the opportunity to shop on the opening day, while others generously donated goods. The store is run by a team leader and seven volunteers.

‘There was a lot of very positive feedback from people about how good it was to have the Family Store back in Hawera,’ says Josh, who noted that a previous Family Store in Hawera on a different site closed in 2019.

Funds raised by the new Hawera Family Store will go towards our work serving the local community.

Other Family Stores in Taranaki are located in New Plymouth, Waitara and Stratford.