The former Wakari butchery Daveta meats will now be operating out of St Kilda Pasifika clothes and grocery store Island Fresh.
Butcher Paula Suguturaga said the idea to collaborate came from “the struggle”.
It made more economic sense to work together.
Paying rent and the operational costs for his shop in Wakari was becoming difficult after he had a “hiccup” in August last year and could not find a slaughterhouse to send his livestock to.
His business was shut for 11 months while he waited for a slaughterhouse to become available.
“I enjoyed the experience, but it was depressing when I had to shut for 11 months.
“But God has been good to me and I’m ready for a fresh start.”
Island Fresh, which has been around for the past five years, reopened yesterday morning with an extension in the back for Mr Suguturaga’s butchery.
Island Fresh owner Regina Khan said she had known Mr Suguturaga for eight years.
“We’re two different generations and we bounce of each other.
“The good thing is I can just go away from life to my holiday in Hawaii and he can take care of things.”
The shop had become a one-stop-shop for everything Pasifika with the addition of the butchery.
mark.john@odt.co.nz
