Nelson goes nuts for grand opening of Pic's Peanut Butter World

Sunday, 24 February 2019

Nelsonians went a little nutty on Saturday for the grand opening of Pic's Peanut Butter World.

The queues were running out the door and onto the street, full of people wanting to get an inside look into how their favourite spread is made.

Along with the opening of the new factory, there were food carts, stalls and even a brass band to entertain the thousand or so people coming to visit.

Pic's Peanut Butter founder Pic Picot said it was a 'special day' for everyone involved.

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'It's a wonderful celebration of Nelson.

Pic Picot surprises the crowd with the unveiling giant four metre high jar of Pic's.

'There was a huge long queue here before we opened the door, when we opened they started pouring in and it hasn't stopped all morning.

'We knew there'd be a lot of people here, but to see the place so full is a wonderful feeling.'

In eleven years, the company has gone from Picot roasting peanuts in a concrete mixer heated by a bunsen burner, to one of the premier peanut butter brands in New Zealand with nearly 50 employees.

The new 2500 square metre building will be set up for factory tours, and also has an on-site cafe and store.

Peanut butter lovers from all over town, and some from further afield, came along to join the celebration.

The queue to take a tour of the factory did not let up all morning.

Factory visitor Wendy Ford said the story of Pic's was something all of Nelson could be proud of.

'Everyone knows the story behind Pic's, the fact he started small at the Nelson Market.

'He's become a massive success from that, but the fact he's kept it in Nelson makes all of us quite proud.

'He's kept it local and this building is the culmination of all of that.'

Long-time customer Maureen Joblin said she enjoyed seeing how the product was made and learning more of the story behind it.

'I've been buying from the very start, so I've had this on the calendar since he announced it.

Pic's fans Jaya Ellison, left, and Hannah Astridge wait in the queue to tour the factory during the Pic's Peanut Butter World grand opening.

'I actually work in Ireland every year so I take probably five or six jars to get me through my three months there.'

Richard and Jennifer Standen made the trip over from North Queensland, from one of the Australian farms that produce the peanuts for the factory.

Richard Standen said he was amazed by the amount of people who'd come out to celebrate the occasion.

'Pic has been a big supporter of ours, when he came to visit us a couple of years ago I found him to be an inspiration.

'Today has blown me away, I can't believe how many people are here and the affection they have for the product.'