Renaissance in local produce rebrands butcheries into The Grocer

Thursday, 24 June 2021

Woodlands Butchery, Big Reds Butchery and Isla Bank Butchery have rebranded to become The Grocer. The Grocer Woodlands co-owner Craig Hamilton, left, and manager of the Invercargill store (formerly Big Reds) Matt Heenan with the new branding.

Woodlands, Big Reds and Isla Bank Butcheries have been rebranded under the umbrella of The Grocer, a move owner and operator Craig Hamilton believes is reflective of the changing nature of the business.

“We’re more than just a butcher shop,” Hamilton, who first purchased the Woodlands' butchery in 1999, said.

“We make everything start to finish, we don’t buy in anything at all.”

The ‘everything’ Hamilton refers to moves beyond just meat products, encompassing a vast array of house made rolls, bakery items, jerky and barista-made coffee.

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The expansion of The Grocer is a result of a surge in community desire to shop locally.

“We’re Southland people, Southland families,” Hamilton said.

“We’re seeing a sort of renaissance with butchers and bakers because customers really appreciate the honest quality of our products and knowing exactly how their food is made and where it all comes from.”

The Grocer officially launches Thursday and is located in Woodlands, Invercargill and Lorneville.