The mighty Mitre 10 MEGA Silverdale has officially opened its doors.

After years of planning and months of earthworks, the store at the Highgate Business Park in Colin Chester Drive, Silverdale opened its doors to the public at 7am this morning.

At the grand opening on Tuesday night, the owner Cam Caithness says he is excited that the store has come to life, and is looking forward to seeing the community walk through the front doors.

Not only is the Mitre 10 MEGA Silverdale the fifth store that Cam has opened but he has also been recognised as the largest franchisee in the Mitre 10 group. 

The 2.3 hectares (12,000 square meters) store is not only regarded as a world-class retail store, but it will be a full range store with over 40,000 items of stock available. 

It has 6,000 square meters retail section, 2,000 square meters each for the garden centre and drive-thru section, and 1,500 square meters for the yard. 

A weekend of celebrations is underway at the store where people can get great opening specials, and also see the new concept that has been developed, which will be used in future Mitre 10 stores. 

Such concepts include a touch-screen to help customers find items in-store, as well as a section where DIY enthusiasts can scan a QR code and download any home project, from assembly to installation. 

Mitre 10 MEGA Silverdale owner Cam Caithness.

Cam bought his first Mitre 10 store in Warkworth in 2009 and his company, Riviera Hardware Holdings, now owns five. 

This store marks the 45th MEGA store and the 85th Mitre 10 store to be opened in New Zealand.

He started off with 18 employees in 2009, and is super proud to now have 600 in his employ and part of his “humble and proud family business”. 

Cam says the store is committed to making a real and sustainable impact on the environment. 

He has installed LED lights, and electronic shelf labels and has a recycling station, where people can bring their cardboard, plant pots, soft plastics and polystyrene to be recycled. 

He is also super excited to have Columbus Coffee Cafe on board, as he does with his other stores. 

The cafe hub is a hive of activity as it brings the community together.

The store is making history as it is the first Mitre 10 store to have three floors - with a lunchroom and outdoor deck for the staff being built on the top floor. 

Besides the staff at the new Silverdale Mitre 10 MEGA store, the guests at the grand opening included MP Mark Mitchell; Mitre 10 CEO, Andrea Scown; Mitre 10 Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Britton; Mitre 10 Chief Commerical Officer, Simon Haggit; and new Silverdale store manager, Sam Singh.

Local MP Mark Mitchell.

Mitre 10 CEO, Andrea Scown.

Silverdale store manager, Sam Singh.