Here’s to a hundy at Four Square.
On July 4th 2024, we're not just celebrating any old milestone… we’re celebrating 100. For a hundy years we’ve done our best to make life a little more choice. But we couldn’t have done it without all of you Aotearoa. So, here’s to all the flatties who forgot they were on dinner, and the Nans who popped in for biscuits and stayed for a chat. To every person who’s walked through our doors, thank you.
Keen to know more about our story? Watch our video! You can check out our limited-edition merch range, read all about our local fresh grocers in our book, or whip up some delicious party snacks for your friends and whānau with our recipes.
Here's to a hundy!
100 years ago, J. Heaton Barker, a good sort, drew a square around the fourth of July on their calendar, which marked the beginning of something very, very convenient.
History
The household name Four Square emerged in the 1920s out of the Foodstuffs grocery buying co-operative. Foodstuffs' founder, Mr J Heaton Barker, became concerned at the activities of the grocery chain stores of the day that were making life very difficult for independent grocers in Auckland.
On 6th July 1922, Heaton Barker called together members of the Auckland Master Grocers' Association to discuss plans for the formation of a co-operative buying group of independent grocers.
On 1st April 1925, this buying group registered a company, Foodstuffs Ltd (later Foodstuffs (Auckland) Ltd), the first of three regional co-operatives based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which now form the Foodstuffs group of co-operatives.
Why the name Four Square?
The name Four Square emerged when Mr Barker, while talking on the telephone to one of the buying group members on 4th July 1924, drew a square around the 4 of the date on his calendar. He immediately realised he had a suitable name for the buying group, stating that "they would stand 'Four Square' to all the winds that blew".
By the end of 1924, products were appearing under the Four Square name, and by 1929, discussions were underway on the use of a common branding on stores. Early versions of the Four Square sign were produced in the form of red and gold hand painted glass panels for display in members' stores.
In February 1948, New Zealand's first self-service grocery store was opened in Onehunga by Phil Barker (the son of the founder of the group) and Ray McGregor. This soon became the norm for grocery retailing.
Mr Four Square
During the 1950s the Foodstuffs advertising department designed the famous Mr Four Square.
He initially appeared only in newspaper advertising and posters, but was developed to become part of the Four Square identity; appearing in every Four Square store and eventually becoming a nationally recognised icon in New Zealand, remaining famous to this day.
Dick Frizzell has made art prints inspired by the original Four Square man since the 1980s and His works have popularised illustrations into art and created an icon from a logo.
Mr Four Square has been through several transformations to reach the current Foodstuffs depiction. Gone are the old apron strings, old fashioned shoes, pencil behind the ear and that hair parting!
Four Square Birthdays
For over 60 years, Four Square has welcomed babies born on July 4. The gifts have varied over the years, with a mother in 1961 given a new washing machine (a very generous gift in an era of cloth nappies!) while a 1972 letter records the gift of "A Max Factor Creme Puff Compact for you and a box of Jacob van Hartog Cigars for the proud father"!
Four Square Car
The Four Square car is a 1924 Model T Ford - created in the same year that Four Square first starting providing Kiwis with life's essentials.
Specifications
Motor 4 cylinder, bore 3 3/4 stroke 4" side valve rated 20 horsepower.
Vanadium steel was used in all crank and cam shafts and connecting rods.
Transmission
Ford spun planetary type, 2 forward and 1 reverse gear.
Restoration Information
The motor was reconditioned by Rods Engine Services Dunedin and the white metal bearings rerun by Ray McCullock Invercargill.
Panelbeating and the fantastic paint job in Four Square green and yellow was completed by Paul Herron Auto Painters Gore.
The complete rebuild and restoration was lovingly completed by Bob Herron Mosgiel.