North Canterbury News: June 03, 2021

Advertising feature
FRESHCHOICE OXFORD
North Canterbury News, June 3, 2021
9
Devoted Rutherfords look to check out
Mikeand NickyRutherford
havesoldFreshChoiceOxford.
The couple who have invested
14 years in the business and the
community, willnot be leaving
the town they have grown to
love.
Mikeand Nicky, who bought
the supermarket in July 2008,
whenitwas aSupervalue, will
takeabreak while they lookat
other opportunities.
Theywill continuetoown the
building,but will hand over the
reins of the business in October
to NorthCanterbury couple
Kelly and Bevan Hames, who
havetwo children,Maddie and
Milla.
Kelly and Bevan own the
Mandeville Supervalue and will
run both businesses.
It has beenajourney of
change for the Rutherfords
since 2008.
Justtwo years aftertaking
overthe business, the 2010
earthquakestruck,causing the
Supervalue to shut.
Not to be beaten, the couple
moved to atemporary facility —
the JC rooms in Oxford.
Theykept all theirstaff and,
oncetheirsupermarket building
was strengthened, they moved
backdown the road.
Theyleft the temporary
facility all set up with their
shelvingallowing other Oxford
businessestouse it while their
businesseswere strengthened.
Backintheir strengthened
premises, the couplehad to
decide the future of their
supermarket business. They
could not get insurance for the
earthquakedamage because
one wall of the Supervaluedid
not meet code.
It was either walkaway or stay
and invest heavily by rebuilding
abigger,bettersupermarketin
Oxford.
Mikeand Nickydecided to
stayand in 2013 presented their
FreshChoicesupermarket plans
to the community.
Anew FreshChoice was built
behind the old supermarket
and,aspart of that,the couple
managed to get aWestpac ATM
incorporated in the build, taking
overfromone they hadinstalled
at their own costinFebruary
2010.
The couple have employed
hundredsoflocal people,
All in the family ... FreshChoice Oxford has been afamily business for the Rutherfords, from left, Emma, Nicky, Mike and George.
includingschoolstudents, and
given hundredsofthousands of
dollars in sponsorship to the
Oxfordand widercommunity.
Theseinclude Oxford Area,
View Hill, Swannanoa and West
Eyreton Schools, Oxford early
childhood centres and the
Oxford Playcentre (freefruit is
giventothese centres for
childrentoeat daily).
They have also supported
localemergency services such
as the fire brigade,StJohn, the
hospital, and Oxforddoctors.
Others to benefit from support
are the Oxford Community
Trust, the Food Banks in Oxford,
Oxford churches, theOxford
LionsClub, OxfordGolf Club,
Oxford Men’s Shed,Children of
Oxford, and many individuals.
Mike and Nicky have also
supported senior citizens in
Oxford and offer GoldCard
discounts daily.
They have areal passionfor
theircommunity andpaid to set
up police closedcircuit TV
cameras in Oxford,helping to
bringdown the crimerate.
Mike, who wasawarded the
Queen’sServiceMedal in 2019
for his work in the community,
has been an Oxford Volunteer
Fire Brigade member for eight
years, and is now aseniorfire
fighter.
Mike and Nickywere also
awardedaPolice Community
Award in 2018, andalso
received aLion’s community
award in 2018.
‘‘We’veloved our timeinour
two supermarkets.Our two
youngest children,Emma and
George,love the Oxford
community and haveplayed an
activepart in it over theyears,
both at schooland in the
supermarket.
‘‘We wouldalso liketohonour
Mike’sdad, Irving Rutherford,
who passedaway recently. He
was aNorth Canterbury icon
who playedavery active role in
our officesince 2008,whenwe
opened.
‘‘We are lookingforward to
still being part of our wonderful
Oxfordcommunity, and wish
Bevan and Kellyall the best.’’
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Opening time ... Then Mayor David Ayers helps George Rutherford
cut the ribbon to open FreshChoice Oxford.
Demolition time ... The old Supervalue was demolished after the new FreshChoice, in
the background, was built. Mike Rutherford took the controls to deliver the first blow to
the old building.
Eftpos open ... The first ATM in Oxford was opened by then Waimakariri MP Kate
Wilkinson. Beside her is Irving Rutherford, with Dan Gordon at left.