Farro’s newest and fifth store has opened in the Orakei Bay Village retail development, adjacent to the Orakei Train Station, in a fully restored warehouse space that was a former gin distillery.
The site is in fact the original intended location for the first store, 10 years ago, when Janene and James Draper hatched their original Farro plans. A decade and four other Farro stores later, the development plans have come to fruition.
The Orakei store is perched high above Hobson Bay and is a fantastic central hub for Orakei, Mission Bay, Meadowbank and St Johns and is just down from the northern slopes of Remuera.
“We are so excited to be opening our new Orakei store in such a fantastic location,” Janene says. “We hope Farro Orakei will quickly become a neighbourhood favourite – a place to stop for a coffee and to pick up Farro delights, for those of all ages, or as a stop for those commuters on their way home around the bays or stepping off the train to then head home with a bag full or deliciousness.”
High-pitched ceilings and natural light bring a charm and character to the space, which incorporates all the Farro favourites including seasonal fresh produce; the deli with its extensive range of specialty breads, freshly cut cheeses and charcuterie; the service butchery selling only NZ-raised free-range meat; and the grocery department, where you can discover an array of local artisan and international products.
“As we grow as a business, we’re proud our family of small artisan producers have grown with us,” Janene says. Farro actively encourages and assists New Zealand artisans into the market and onto its shelves, and the passion and drive of these producers is the cornerstone of what make Farro unique.
Farro Orakei welcomes a new Farro team, but there will be some familiar faces joining store manager Freddie Hassan, whose smiling face many will recognise from Farro Lunn Ave, where he’s worked for the past six years.
Did you know?
Aucklanders James and Janene Draper founded Farro in 2006 out of a desire to create a retail space that showcased the very best of New Zealand food. Farro started in Lunn Ave with just 12 staff and has grown over the past 10 years to 450 staff across five stores, which have become destinations for food lovers across Auckland. The Drapers are still very much involved in the business, which has recently launched a full online shopping service with more than 1500 of the fresh and grocery products available, with delivery across Auckland.
