The Butcher, The Baker and The Fish & Chips Maker

Here in the Wellington suburbs, it's common for neighborhoods to have their own clusters of specialized shops. While we started out using only the supermarket and the one bulk style store (that we can find) we've started warming up to our local shops.  The fact that they are only one block away has been a big convenience factor.

They are all lined up in a neat little row right beyond the roundabout.

• There's the 4 Square which is similar to a mini mart back home.  If you need something in a pinch, they carry a bit of everything including produce, ice cream, wine, laundry soap and of course, lottery tickets. 
• Indian Take Away which has a killer family pack and some of the biggest pieces of naan I've ever eaten. 
• The Chemist is next to them and resembles a very, very small Walgreens.  It's main function is a pharmacy but they beef out the store with lotions, beauty products, and toys. 
• Hell Pizza who is running a Sell Your Soul Contest is next in line. It's alright pizza if you don't want to make your own but we've been on a pizza making bender lately.  Plus it's fun to try out all the different topping combinations they've come up with.  I think our last was called "Mordor" and I was incorrectly informed that it wasn't spicy.  I should have known...
• The Strathmore Butcher with one of the best signs I've ever seen (see above).  Plus, the dudes are so helpful each time I go in.  They explain things to me and never once have they cringed when I've asked "What's on special?"
  
• The Chinese restaurant which we haven't tried yet, but the menu scares me a bit.  Fish and chips, Chinese food and fried chicken.  I guess once you've mastered frying you don't have to limit yourself to one region of cuisine (if you can call this type of fried food cuisine).  I'm slamming food that I haven't even tried.  Open mouth insert foot for the next shop.
  
• Acropolis Fish and Chips shop that we love.  Or "lurv" if you want to take a hint from their sign and put a NZ spin on it.  I take back my slam on fried food for this shop only because they seem to have recognized their specialty.  Actually it has more to do with the fact that I like the woman in this shop and I am comfortable with burgers and fried fish being on the same menu.  They offer fried candy bars as well and if that isn't close to Americana, I don't know what is.
• The Strathmore Dairy which is an even smaller version of a minimart and carries drinks, ice cream, milk, chips etc. 
• The Barber Shop.  Two chairs, always a line during lunch.  Jake dropped in for a pretty stylish haircut a while back.  
• Last but absolutely not least is the Strathmore Bakery.  It's a bakery/coffee shop/breakfast and lunch place all wrapped into one.  My ideal!  We headed over for breakfast two weekends ago with the girls and they had some of the yummiest yeast donuts I've ever eaten.  They bake cookies, bread, cakes, savory pies and donuts.