The nationally renowned soft drink, Lemon and Paeroa, had its origins here. The mineral water was pumped from a deep well within the borough to Innes Schweppes Limited's modern manufacturing and bottling plant in Albert Street for processing. This factory has been closed with the introduction of the litre bottles.

The very large bottle at the eastern end of the main street, near the Criterion Bridge, has plaques relating the interesting development of this original mineral water when mixed with lemon juice becomes "L and P".
There are weekly stock sales at Paeroa.
Over recent years the town's industries have expanded and there is a wide cross section of light manufacturing firms which employ male and female labour and produce a variety of items for local and export markets around the world.

Being centrally situated, the district is served by one of the larger transport companies in New Zealand, which operates between the major towns and cities.
Some three kilometres from Paeroa along State Highway 1 towards Auckland is the site of the Paeroa Historical Maritime Park. There are several notable ships to be seen plus some historic marine machinery.
The focal point of the park was the recovery of the double paddle steamer "Kopu" which lay in 14 feet of mud and water in the park area. The Kopu was operated on a regular basis by the Northern Steamship Company between Paeroa and Auckland. She sank mysteriously over 45 years ago at the side of the old Puke Wharf, which was the main wharf for Paeroa and district. The vessel was built in Thames in 1897.
The Paeroa domain is a beautiful park within 100 metres of the main street and this park is a particular attraction. A large recreation area is surrounded by a wide variety of beautiful and some rare trees which supply a welcoming shade in the sunshine which floods the area.