Excitement is building across Pāpāmoa as a new Mitre 10 Mega store takes shape at The Sands, marking a major milestone for long-time local business owners Brian and Loretta Johnstone.

The couple, who have owned Mitre 10 Pāpāmoa since 2005, are preparing to relocate their business to a significantly larger, purpose-built site designed to meet the needs of one of the Bay of Plenty’s fastest-growing communities.

“We’ve been in our current building for 21 years and we’re too small now,” Loretta said. “We need to grow to help the community.”

Double the size

The new development – described as a “store of the future” – will span 10,580sq m, more than double the size of the existing store. It will feature an expanded retail offering, a large garden centre, drive-through facilities, a trade yard and a Columbus cafe.

For local tradespeople, the addition of a dedicated yard is expected to be a game-changer.

Mitre 10 Pāpāmoa owners Loretta and Brian Johnstone will open their new Mitre 10 MEGA store at The Sands in spring. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

“We can’t service that side of the business at the moment,” Loretta said. “So that will be a huge positive for the local trade community.”

The move east reflects the rapid growth of Pāpāmoa, particularly around The Sands, where future development projections made the decision a logical one.

“Mitre 10 New Zealand has done their future planning, and the growth out that way will continue,” Loretta said. “As a business model, it made sense.”

Spring opening

Construction of the new store is well underway, with steel pillars being erected and prefabricated concrete walls expected to follow shortly. The Johnstones are aiming for an early spring opening.

For Loretta and Brian, the project has been a long time coming.

“We’ve been trying to do this for 10 years,” she said. “Our team are very excited. We’ve got such a fabulous team, and it will be really exciting to bring everyone together and create an even stronger team culture.”

The expansion would also bring significant employment opportunities, with staff numbers expected to grow from about 40 to roughly 85 when the new store opens.

Despite the scale of the development, Loretta said the focus remained firmly on improving the customer experience.

“Our store now is very jam-packed,” she said. “With the new space, customers will have a lot more choice, and the shopping experience will be so much nicer.”

Store design

She said changing customer habits were also shaping the new store’s design, with more people researching products online before visiting in person.

The new Mitre 10 MEGA store rising up from the ground at The Sands. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

“They often come in knowing exactly what they want and go straight to it,” she said.

The existing Mitre 10 Pāpāmoa site will close once the new Mega store opens, Loretta said.

“A lot of people are sad to see us go [from our current site]. But when they come and visit [the new site next spring] whether it’s for a coffee or their garden supplies – they’ll see the difference. There’s just so much more available.”

Beyond retail, the business had long played a quiet but active role in the local community, supporting initiatives such as a Rotary golf tournament raising funds for Pāpāmoa children, and local surf and bowling clubs.

“We love supporting the community that supports us,” Loretta said.

Looking ahead, she believed Pāpāmoa’s continued growth would only strengthen the role of the new store.

“It’s a big community and still growing fast. We’re really proud of what we’ve built over the past 21 years, and we just hope to keep building on that.”