The General Merchant

When local business owner Basista Gautam opened The General Merchant in Snells Beach earlier this month, it helped fill the gap left behind by the departure of The Warehouse in 2023.

As they say, when one door closes, another one opens.

“After The Warehouse went to Warkworth, we’d been missing somewhere to get garden products, art and craft supplies, pet supplies, hardware and fishing gear,” Gautam says.

“The demand was there and a space was available for the new store, so I seized the opportunity.”

Originally from Nepal, where he completed his business degree, Gautam has always been open to possibilities.

In 2013 he emigrated to NZ to further his studies, spent nearly eight years in Waikato, then moved to Snells Beach in 2021 with his wife and inspiration Maya, whom he had met on a trip back home.

This is when he bought Snells Beach Fine Wines, which he later changed to The Bottle-O.

Gautam’s latest venture is right next door and matches the green exterior.

“At The General Merchant people get quality products that are environmentally friendly,” he says.

“Sustainability is important to me, both in my personal life and in business as well. So when I choose products for the store I always look for eco-friendly options, like the certified-organic fertilisers we sell, or our recycled plastic products.

“And that doesn’t mean we charge more money. Even though we’re a smaller store, we still offer our customers a good price,” Gautam says.