Take Note Tawa is the hub of the neighbourhood

Karen and Steve Pettigrew have owned Take Note Tawa for 18 years and three name changes; initially it was Local Value, then Books & More and from 2006, Take Note.

When the Pettigrew’s bought the store, it had a good range of books and that is something they have kept up over time.

Getting a New Zealand Post franchise in 1994 has helped grow the business, as has the subsequent addition of Kiwibank to their services.

The most recent store innovation is not one customers would notice: it is the installation of a new AR computer system as developed for PaperPlus and their associated stores. Their previous system used to cover both Post Office, Kiwibank and store functions, but this now separates into two systems for the different sides of the business. “That means in turn a duplication of monitors, scanners and more,” says Karen Pettigrew.

Take Note Tawa is the local bookstore for Booksellers New Zealand staff members Fiona Stewart and Cherie Arnott. Both like the store so much they made the suggestion for this feature.

“I think we are very lucky to have such a good bookstore plus more in Tawa,” says Fiona. “They have a great selection of books, magazines, cards and stationery and I often post parcels and pay my car registration there. I particularly like browsing the specials table and have picked up a few good bargains.

“They have a really good range of children’s books which must be well displayed and strategically placed as my daughter never fails to ask me to buy her a book when we go into the store! Everyone there is always very friendly, patient and helpful.”

Books and stationery run about 50/50 for the non agency side of the business. Karen Pettigrew does the book buying, and the current bestselling book in store is Kelvin Cruickshank’s Bridging the Gap. She rates New Zealand non-fiction the major category in store, followed by children’s and young adult books. The top seller here is a very familiar title – is there a child in New Zealand without a copy? It's Craig Smith’s phenomenally successful The Wonky Donkey.

Other book selections run “right across the spectrum” which gives the store a good mix to offer customers.

The store moved from a mini mall situation near the supermarket in 2000 to bigger premises with 230 square metres of retail space, situated on the main road from Johnsonville to Porirua. With easy street front parking, the move lifted the store’s trade.

Steve and Karen have their own areas of authority in the business – he’s Kiwi bank trained and also in charge of stationery and the back office. Karen is mostly on the retail side as books, cards and gift buyer. “It works much better that way!” she says. Sharing the load is eldest daughter Rowena Sanders on full time staff as the principal Kiwibank rep. In fact, the Pettigrew’s four adult daughters have all worked in the store at some time or another. With one other full time, and two part time assistants and a uni student to call on, Karen and Steve find that when they are fully staffed it is possible for them to take holidays.

The most rewarding part of owning a successful store? Karen loves being in retail. “We are offering services and books and stationery that our customers want, so there’s no hard sell. It is great that no day is the same and it is neat helping the public.”