Stockist Spotlight: Vetro, Tauranga

If you’ve ever wandered into Vetro in Tauranga, you’ll know it’s not your average food store.

Shelves are lined with Italian tomatoes, parmesan wheels, specialty ingredients you didn’t know you needed, and daily fresh bread (including Volare, of course). But what really makes Vetro special is the mix of people you’ll find there – chefs in whites, expats craving a taste of home, locals stocking up on the basics, and curious food lovers in search of their next discovery.

From Brazil to the Bay

The Vetro story began in Napier more than two decades ago, but Tauranga’s chapter opened when Liz (recently returned from 25 years in Brazil) and Chris (who had worked at Vetro Napier for years) decided Tauranga was the perfect place for a store of its own. And so began the journey of bringing a truly international pantry to the Bay of Plenty.

A Day in the Life

Liz describes her days as a blur of admin, unpacking pallets, covering shifts on the shop floor, making in-house muesli, and keeping the whole place running smoothly. Lunch usually happens at her desk, emails open and ideas for new recipes simmering away. By the time the doors close at 5pm, she’s juggled everything from invoices to customer chats – and often spends weekends catching up on the work that never quite fits into a weekday.

A Community of Food Lovers

Though it’s a destination store, Vetro is easy to reach from anywhere in Tauranga. Customers travel from Waihi through to Te Puke, drawn by the range of products they can’t find in supermarkets. Some come for pantry staples, others for specialty treats – but all share one thing in common: a love of good food and wine. “We get everyone,” says Liz. “From chefs to expats, high-viz and boots to pearls and high heels. That’s the beauty of Vetro.”

What’s on the Shelves

Ask Liz about favourites and she’ll point to Italian tomatoes, Brazil nuts, walnuts, and of course cheese – especially parmesan, which is never missing from her fridge. Customers also flock in daily for fresh bread, with Volare loaves being quick to disappear from the shelves. Vetro began stocking Volare after spotting us at a food show years ago, and the partnership has been a natural fit ever since.

Highs, Challenges, and Food Fads

Running a specialty food store isn’t without its hurdles. From roadworks and shipping delays to sudden TikTok-inspired food crazes, Liz has seen it all. One day, no one’s interested in kataifi pastry; the next, the phone won’t stop ringing. Then, just as quickly, the trend fades. But there are rewards, too. She recalls one customer couple who left grinning with a giant five-litre bottle of chianti for their family Christmas – proof that food (and wine) bring joy, surprise, and connection.

Looking Ahead

Like many in retail, Liz says the future is about resilience. “Right now, we’re just trying to work through the challenges from council and government. As long as we can keep our customers and staff happy, we’ll push on.”

Volare is proud to have Vetro Tauranga as part of our stockist family – a place where food lovers of every stripe can find something special to take home.