Supermarket's demise saddens

LAST ORDER: Peter Thompson, of Greytown, makes his last purchase, rung up by Carol Barnes, cashier.

The last two customers at Greytown's Four Square supermarket said it has been "their" supermarket for years.

Megan Murphy and Peter Thompson lingered over the nearly empty shelves as 9pm approached on Sunday, signalling the final minutes in the history of Greytown Four Square.

It had been in business since 2000.

Trust House elected to shut up shop after failed efforts to sell the business as a going concern.

The closure affects about 20 staff who worked at the supermarket full or part-time.

Mr Thompson said he had alway dropped in for groceries.

"You're interacting with people here," he said

"I think Trust House has missed an opportunity", adding it could have become another kind of store.

"Greytown doesn't have a bookstore."

Ms Murphy was also a regular customer.

"This is like my supermarket - has been for 10 years."

The business had struggled against the Fresh Choice supermarket, which opened last year.

The bottle store will remain open until the land and buildings are sold.