Iconic Christchurch burger joint Big Gary’s closes its doors

Monday, 26 August 2024

A burger shop that transformed into a weekend “nightclub” after dark has closed its doors after 40 years.

Big Gary’s on Riccarton Rd, Canterbury was known for being open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays and created a cult-like following of loyal customers.

Store owner David told The Press he took ownership of Big Gary’s around two years ago.

“I miss them, all the loyal customers, some of them come here basically every week,” he told The Press.

“I wish I could serve them for longer but because the business is very bad, I have to close to survive.”

Big Gary’s Facebook page has 4000 followers and would post birthday messages to customers and good luck messages to students before exams.

Tom McKenzie lived near the burger shop when he was a student several years ago.

It was so special to him that he got a graduation photo outside it while wearing his regalia.

McKenzie told The Press the store was “littered with students all hours of the weekend” and sold merchandise like T-shirts and hoodies that would now be considered “vintage”.

“I have many great memories, albeit with an alcohol-induced fogginess, of Big Gary’s. [The] best ones are probably clapping every time someone’s order was ready, and the collective cheer when someone got ‘order 69’,” he told The Press.

Do you have Big Gary’s memories? Share them in the comments.

“The store essentially became a nightclub after 11pm.”

Former University of Canterbury student Forester King told The Press “Big Gary was the knight in shining grease armour to all students”.

“Whether you needed some comfort food after cramming [study] until 1am, out partying even later, or needed someone to sponsor your local aerospace club’s rocket, he was there,” he said.

But it wasn’t just students who were fond of the eatery that served beef burgers with doughnut buns.

Halswell resident ordered Big Gary’s 77 times in 2021 after becoming hooked during the Covid-19 lockdown.

“They got to know my name and would write wee notes on orders … and they sent me a free top,” she told The Press.

“I’m sad it closed down because I got quite a few people hooked on their food and they were always open so late and [were] trustworthy.”

“Boss Gary” announced his retirement on his website.

“These past 40 years have been the best part of my life,” an online note read.

“But the time has come for me to retire and to think about what comes next. I'm not out for good, just stepping back to find a new journey to embark on.”