Store step of faith – mayor
After pain of the gorge closing, opening store shows confidence in Woodville
Black Bull has come to Vogel
St in Woodville with a grand opening marking the occasion on Saturday, September 9.
Tararua mayor Tracey
Collis was there to cut the ribbon along with locals who turned out. She was impressed with the step of faith in Woodville.
Owners Ritchie Kawau and Teresa de Bries bought the bottle store which is under the management of Black Bull. They transferred their bottle store from the New Central Hotel to the new building.
“The team at Black Bull Woodville are looking forward to being part of the community and will be helping to donate for community needs,” said
Teresa de Bries. “We have a couple of other ideas to move forward on as well,” she said.
“Teresa and Richard have been extremely generous over the five years they’ve been here. So for me, it was important to come and show that same support back to them,” said mayor Collis.
“It’s been an incredible journey — the business was really successful, then we had the closure of the Manawatu¯ Gorge. And that hit hard and it hurt. It changed Woodville for a period of 12 months. That uncertainty in people’s businesses really hurt. Ritchie and Teresa had just leased out the restaurant and they had to make some tough decisions and choose not to continue that. They had to look at ways they could reinvent their business and create new interest.
“They’ve done that extremely well. But that pain and uncertainty, it takes a lot to go through and its on everyone’s lips as they come and talk to you about it.
Teresa and Ritchie have done an incredible job.
“They’ve had Country and Western nights and quiz nights, they’ve been supported by the community. And then to watch this come full circle and see the certainty of that road going ahead and choosing to reinvest, to bring in partners like Shavi and Mohini. And have another business on Vogel St, it shows to me the certainty of the road, the confidence in Woodville, to make that investment. I really commend them for that.
“There’s been a bit of controversy about the bottle store and alcohol. This is a business that has a lot of rules and regulations around it, the police are involved and there are licensing requirements. There’s a family function on and they’re keen to buy locally and be able to support this business. When I hear comments like that, I’m really pleased. Watching the virtual flyover and having a visual in your mind what that new road is going to look like is reassuring. And then having the national Land Transport plan come out and see that the funding is there, it gives us an absolute certainty that Woodville is going to fly. The potential and opportunity is going to be here in the future — its immense. Teresa and Ritchie have taken that opportunity to have this here now, starting preparing the business with that optimism. So I’m really looking forward today.
“I’m going to buy a bottle of Bollinger Champagne — it’s going to sit on my office desk until that new road is built.”
In cutting the ribbon at the front door, mayor Collis said “I’m absolutely privileged to open this.”