THE name Meridian Store has become part of Taveuni’s identity, but its origins can be traced back to a historic line that once passed near Wairiki.
Meridian Store managing director Champak Lal Dayaram said the name came from the International Date Line, which was once marked near Wairiki Hall.
“The Meridian Store name came from the International Date Line that was implanted next to the Wairiki Hall,” he said.
“At that time, there was no GPS and no modern accuracy. The first line was marked in front of the Wairiki Hall.”
As the business was located close to this important geographical marker, the name Meridian became associated with the family’s operations.
Mr Dayaram said his father, Ambaram Dayaram, embraced the name and used it across different ventures.
“The vision came from our father that we should just name everything Meridian,” he said.
“That is why we had Meridian Store, Meridian Cinema and Meridian Transport.”
The name became more than a business identity.
It represented the family’s connection to Wairiki and the community that supported them for a century.
The International Date Line was later moved after advances in technology and more accurate measurements.
However, the story behind the Meridian Store name remains an important part of the business history.
Today, as the store celebrates 100 years, the name continues to represent the journey of a family that arrived in Taveuni with a small business and built a legacy through hard work and relationships.
For generations of customers, Meridian Store is not just a shop.
It is a landmark that carries the memories of the island.
