Retail overhaul for East Heretaunga Street

5 August 2013

Retail overhaul for East Heretaunga Street

Vacancies are filling fast in the 100 Heretaunga Street block. Brendocs Café will be the third new store to open since July 2013.

Susan McDade from Hasting City Business Association is pleased retailers are finally discovering what the block has to offer.

“From a retailer perspective, the 100 East Block has the best of both worlds – it’s effectively central CBD and the rents are affordable. It’s a great location for start-up businesses or pop-up stores wanting to test the market. New tenants and investment in retail is a clear indication business confidence is improving.”

Dawn O’Dea and Brendon Lovell, owners of Brendocs Smokehouse Café, have relocated from Wellington to open their first store in the old Maffs Café site.

“We both have family in Hawke’s Bay and have been looking to open our business up here for months. We looked in Napier but this is the perfect location for us - affordable rent and great foot traffic. It’s also good to be located close to other food retailers so customers have a choice.”

Brendocs Smokehouse Cafe is all about wholesome family food and BBQ style cooking using smoked meat that chef Brendon personally prepares.

“Smoked meats are our house speciality. We used to wholesale smoked meat to caterers in Wellington but have decided to serve it ourselves now.”

Expect a vibrant atmosphere, a bit like sharing a meal with a large family.

“We want our customers to feel part of the experience. We like to have fun while we work and interact with our customers so much of the cooking is done at the front. Join us for your morning coffee – or call in on your way home for dinner. We do takeaways so you don’t have to cook!”

Chef Brendon says the Brendocs Beef Burger is not for the faint hearted. “With a 300gm beef patty and all the trimmings including beetroot and homemade relish, we don’t have a bag big enough!”

Brendocs is also the only café in Hawke’s Bay that offers the Ripe Cuba blend of coffee.

“It’s dark, smoky and exactly how coffee should taste. Definitely the way to kick start your morning. Bring your own mug if you prefer!”

Other newcomers to the block include JK Kids with an eight week popup store in the old Caroline Eve premises.

Sushi Club from Napier opened in July two stores up from the ANZ building and is reportedly trading above expectations.

Cinema Hastings, along with the building owners, has confirmed a major upgrade of the complex at the start of February 2014. The cinema will close for 10-12 weeks then re-open as Focal Point Cinema & Café. The refurbished complex will include new cinema seats and a fully licensed café.

New digital projection systems will be installed this month giving access to an even larger range of films. The new projectors are the start of what will be the first significant re-investment into the cinema complex since 1994.

Ms. McDade says the new food offers and cinema upgrade will create much needed after-hours options in Hastings.

“The new businesses in the 100 East block add diversity to the existing CBD retail mix and will work well with the weekly Hastings City Night Market that commence on 7 November this year.”

ENDS

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