King Country News would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who shared their memories as part of this wonderful tribute to Karam Haddad.
It is our honour and privilege to be able to note the anniversary of his passing. This commemorative issue shares many stories of the amazing man he was. He was a big supporter of the King Country News and the community, and we are proud to provide this keepsake and remember Karam for the kind cheeky and humble businessman he was.
A special thank you must go to Kathleen Radke and Wendy Andrews for the countless hours they spent in helping us tie this together. We had an overwhelming response of stories and tried really hard to get as many in as possible. Apologies to those whose memories we couldn’t fit, however these will be available online at kingcountrynews.co.nz.
We hope you enjoy this publication as much as we have enjoyed creating it.
Sam Baggott – General manager
I earned myself a reputation while working for the boys and it might not be quite what you think. I was the one, out of all the employees that lasted the least time (eight months to be exact). They drove me crazy!! Despite this, my love and respect for them is huge. The short time that I worked there was a privilege, and being a part of putting this tribute together has been an honour. Rest in peace Karam, I will never forget you. To John, Michael and
Rochelle, thank you for keeping this legendary business in the family so that we can all continue to enjoy the unique shopping experience that is Haddad’s.
Kim Blake – Advertising sales consultant
Karam was the first Haddad brother I met when I arrived in town, just four days into the job in February 2021.
I was to be the Ōtorohanga reporter and my more experienced colleague Andy was taking me for a tour of the town to meet everyone.
Karam swiftly got me on the phone to his brother John, who wasn’t in the shop at that moment.
About 20 minutes later and having said only a handful of words myself, I had the impression that Haddad’s wasn’t going to be a place I forgot easily.
My favourite time to shop was right when the boys were about to close up for the night, because that way I got their undivided attention.
Karam once fitted me with the perfect pair of pants just by looking at me. I came to learn that wasn’t a unique experience, because he could do – and did – the same for just about anyone who walked into his shop.
And to me that proved how much he was a master of his craft.
That time I had just finished up a late interview. It must have been close to 5.30pm when I drove down Maniapoto St and noticed the lights were still on and the doors were still open at Haddad’s.
I gave them the brief: this townie needed a pair of pants with plenty of pockets so I could leave the handbag at home when I went out to do interviews at farms.
John knew the style and Karam knew the size.
Well, the first pair I tried on all but fell off me. Karam blamed his eyesight and gave me a pair about 10 inches smaller, which he said he’d intended to give me originally. I believed him.
They were still slightly too big, but the next size down was perfect.
Karam said he could always tell what size pants a person would wear, but deliberately put them (women especially) in a size too big to start, because it was a nicer experience to have to try on progressively smaller sizes than the opposite.
A friend from Auckland got a similar late night shopping experience.
We’d popped into town for some dinner and despite it being about 6pm by then, the lights were on and the doors were still open at Haddad’s.
I told my mate it was time for him to get a new pair of jeans and that the Haddads would sort him out.
He got the jeans. And a belt to hold them up. And a jacket. Don’t forget the socks. And never, ever put them in the dryer.
Compliments flowed the whole time we were in the shop about how the clothes fitted.
In my short career, I have already written a few pieces that I think will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Right up there is having the honour to write about Karam’s life, as told by those who knew him best.
Thank you to everyone who has shared their memories of Karam with me, to be immortalised in this tribute. It has been a pleasure to hear and read all of them.
Brianna Stewart – Reporter
