FRANCES NATION GROCER
Step through the grand foyer of the Boys’ High Building at the Arts Centre and take a quick left. You’ll be greeted by freshly baked bread, locally roasted coffee, and shelf upon shelf of New Zealand made gourmet food. Think fine cheeses, charcuterie, vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, fresh eggs, honey, jams, bottled fruits, chocolates, and real fruit ice creams (even the cones are made in Aotearoa).
Frances Nation Grocer is the younger sibling to Frances Nation Home, a store dedicated to quality Aotearoa-made products that Tessa Peach opened in 2017. Both the original Frances Nation store and the new Frances Nation Grocer celebrate unique and well-crafted goods produced in New Zealand.
Peach is a staunch advocate of her suppliers, who range from one-person bands to larger-scale food producers. “Buying New Zealand-made often makes for better quality; but more than this, it is about choosing to connect with each other through trade, connecting to our geography, our histories and our natural resources.”
Most days, you’ll find Tom Worthington, of Meatball Mondays fame, at the helm, preparing the famously good bap sandwiches and keeping those shelves stocked with thoughtfully considered artisanal food. Worthington is passionate about sharing his love of the local food scene, saying, “Everyone who comes in, whether it’s to buy the best bottle of olive oil or just a coffee, gets to check out this incredible range from New Zealand’s best food makers, all in one tiny shop”.
Current staff favourites are Pickle & Pie pickles from Wellington, Hands Down tortillas from Hawkes Bay, and candied jalapeños from Zeke’s Gold in Raglan, which Worthington describes as a “wee jar of delight”. Canterbury gems include Geraldine raspberry jam, and finocchiona salami from Poaka Meats, just out of Christchurch.
The slogan, ‘coffee, pantry and picnic’ is accurate: local residents, city workers, and visitors alike pop by the Grocer en route to the Botanic Gardens for a baguette, some good cheese, pickles, and perhaps a bottle of Eastern Imperial grapefruit soda. Frances Nation Grocer is open daily from nine till five.