Alex Russell’s journey from teenage shelf-stacker to proud owner of the new Four Square Putaruru store is a testament to her hard work, passion for the grocery world and a dream of owning her own store.
Growing up in the industry, Alex first started stocking shelves after school at her family’s New World Khandallah store in Wellington, run by her parents, Anne and Graeme Russell.
Over the past 17 years, Alex has honed her skills across a range of different roles at Foodstuffs stores, most recently working under the guidance of her brother Antony at New World Te Rapa, where she’s served as Deli Manager, Liquor Manager, and HR Manager, all with the goal of building up the knowledge to one day owning and operating a store of her own.
Opening Four Square Putaruru marks the fulfillment of that dream.
Located just off State Highway 1, the store is designed to serve both locals and travelers, with convenient offerings like fresh coffee, hot meals, and locally sourced produce.
“Progressing towards becoming an owner is something I’ve worked towards for a long, long time,” Alex says. “I’ve always had that drive and wanted to learn more by working my way around different departments with the goal of building up the necessary knowledge to eventually lead my own store.”
Four Square Putaruru features a generous produce section stocked with seasonal and local options, there’s also cold drinks, pies, muffins, and a food kiosk for those on the go. The store also has large, open fridges that run on CO2, a natural refrigerant, which is energy efficient and better for the environment.
“I love fresh food, and I’m excited to offer a good range of local produce to our community,” she says. “We’re in a great location, and I expect we’ll be a convenient stop for locals, travelers, and the tradies who pass through each day.”
A Waikato local herself, Alex is thrilled to be back in the region where she was born, surrounded by friends and family. With an appreciation for small-town life, she’s set herself the goal of developing a close connection with the Putaruru community.
“I grew up in a small town and enjoy that tight-knit community vibe. I’m looking forward to getting involved with the local schools and sports clubs to make a positive impact and provide a great service,” she says.
With a dedication to fresh, quality products and a warm welcome for the community, Alex and the team at Four Square Putaruru are ready to create a community hub for locals and visitors. Four Square Putaruru will be open daily from 7am to 8pm.
Fast facts:
- 15 roles created for locals
- $7 million investment in the local community
- 4,800+ products
- 546 sqm store
- 3 team member-operated checkouts
- 2 self-scan checkouts
- 17 car parks
