After months of anticipation, hundreds of Wānaka bargain hunters descended on the Three Parks commercial district yesterday to witness the opening of the town’s very first The Warehouse and Noel Leeming stores.
Owned and operated by The Warehouse Group, both stores were officially opened with a dual ribbon cutting ceremony at 8.30am.
Twin queues had formed outside the two stores from around 7am, many drawn by the promise of loot bags and cupcakes to the first 300 customers.
A bagpiper and The Warehouse mascot were on hand to keep the waiting crowds entertained, while staff walked along the queues to rally people for the eventual countdown.
Crowds celebrate the ribbon cutting of Wānaka's first The Warehouse store yesterday. PHOTO: REGAN HARRIS
Jess Stevens, of Wānaka, said she had turned up about 6.20am to find she was the first person on site.
She had wanted to be a part of "the experience", which marked a significant expansion of Wānaka’s big box retail offerings, she said.
"It’s quite special."
