Countdown has repurposed a 140sqm former service station in Ardmore St, built in the 1960s by the Manson family.
Mr Dippie said the community had called for competition in the grocery sector and it was amazing to see what was in the store.
Construction company Calder Developments began refitting the building in July and only finished this week.
Store manager Jason McQuoid was excited about opening.
"It is pretty hard to believe we finished construction two days ago and are opening the doors today," he said.
There was a brief opening ceremony at 8.30am.
Countdown South Island operations manager Aaron Murray said the store had already set records before opening, such as being the first Countdown store in Wanaka and smallest operation in the Countdown "fleet".
