From rundown store to community hub: How Alice Bayley transformed Four Square Otaika
28 March 2025
Just six months into her role as owner-operator of Four Square Otaika, Alice Bayley is already making waves by turning the store into a bright, inviting, and much-loved hub for the community.
When Alice and her partner Sione took over the store in September 2024, it was a far cry from the friendly, community-focused place she envisioned. The store looked rough and worn down and frequently attracted theft and loitering. But Alice, who left a successful career in finance and banking for supermarket ownership, saw potential beneath the tired exterior.
“The store had security bars and didn’t feel like a place that people would love coming to,” she says. “So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We started with the basics: a fresh coat of paint, new uniforms, and a total focus on making it a great, welcoming place to shop.”
Alice, her partner Sione, reintroduced an old favourite, fried chicken and chips, expanded the retail space with a larger chiller, and established affordable fresh produce lines from Hawke’s Bay to keep prices low for local families.
But the real magic happened outside the aisles. Alice’s focus on community engagement has made Four Square Otaika a vibrant gathering place. From Halloween celebrations and summer BBQs to 12 Days of Christmas giveaways, she’s constantly creating opportunities to bring people together.
Her partnership with Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau to supply emergency food parcels for those in need has further deepened the store’s community ties.
Social media has been key to connecting with the community. By actively promoting giveaways, in-store specials, and product promotions, the Four Square Otaika Facebook page has skyrocketed from 50 to over 1,500 followers in just six months.
Alice’s commitment to creating opportunities extends to her staff. She’s tripled the team from five to fifteen, offering jobs to young people, beneficiaries, and others looking for a fresh start.
The results speak for themselves. Customers are telling Alice the area feels safer and more welcoming. “It’s incredible to see the turnaround,” she says. “We’re not fancy, we’re just real people who care about our customers and our community. The feedback has been amazing, and you can feel the difference in how people support us now. They have our back, and we have theirs.”
The future is looking bright for Four Square Otaika. Alice plans to introduce a butchery section, revamp the checkout area, and eventually add a bakery. Recognising the community’s love for seafood and traditional meals, she has already trialled creamed pāua, for which there was overwhelming demand, and she’s also thinking about introducing hangi-style meals.
“The line for creamed pāua was out the door and around the building – I couldn’t believe it,” she says.
“We’re constantly thinking of new ways to make the store a better experience for everyone,” Alice says. “This is just the beginning.”