Farro chief executive Garth Sutherland said Newmarket had been on the company’s radar for some time.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to bring Farro to new communities. When this site became available, we immediately recognised its potential,” Sutherland said.
“Its prominent position on Broadway, excellent accessibility, and convenient parking made it an ideal fit for Farro, allowing us to bring our full food offering and shopping experience to the local community.”
Sutherland said the response from the local community, neighbouring businesses and the Newmarket Business Association had been overwhelmingly positive.
The site in central Newmarket is nearby the popular Westfield mall and recently opened McDonalds.
Sutherland wouldn’t say how much the business had invested in the new location, but acknowledged it was “significant” and recognised the response Farro is seeing from customers across Auckland.
Farro has seven other Auckland stores, at Mt Wellington, Mairangi Bay, Grey Lynn, Epsom, Mt Eden, Ōrākei Bay, and Smales Farm.
Sutherland said he believed there was more opportunity for the business to expand, both in Auckland and beyond.
“Our next key focus after the opening of Farro Newmarket will be the relocation of our Ōrākei store to a new site on Kepa Rd in the new year.
“The new site will provide an improved shopping experience, easier access, and improved parking to our already well-established customer base.”
Farro was founded in 2006 by Janene and James Draper, who still hold a 15.88% shareholding of the company’s parent, WM21 Group Holdings.
The largest shareholder of the business is private equity firm Waterman Capital, which owns a majority 77.88% shareholding.
Waterman Capital has shareholdings in My Food Bag, New Zealand Clinical Research and Guthrie Bowron.
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
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