Toad Hall gets a new lease of life
The popular Motueka cafe Toad Hall has been given a facelift.
Its new look includes a fresh colour scheme, rebranding, a stage, an on-site brewery and the Tap Room, selling local brews to take away.
The revamped paintwork has brought the building out of rustic and into a contemporary look while still keeping the same charm inside.
Owner Angie Morris said she wanted to bring Toad Hall ‘‘into this era’’.
‘‘It’s almost like an identity recreation. We did it now ... to bring us up-to-date and relevant with what’s happening with the new brewery and Tap Room.’’
The on-site brewery allows beer lovers to enjoy the locally crafted drink and the Tap Room, a new addition added to the side of the building, offers locally crafted beers and wines.
Toad Hall has been through some changes since it started as a Motueka school house in the 1850s, including being a Salvation Army hall.
It was purchased by St Thomas’ Church, with the name TOAD Hall coming from The Old Anglican Diocesan Hall.
Its business life began by selling produce and ice creams until Morris and her husband bought the place in 2007.
She said the cafe had ‘‘slowly grown’’ over the last seven years.
A new outdoor stage is set to host some ‘‘very cool travelling bands’’ in the new year with some ‘‘quirky musicians’’ entertaining the patrons.
The changes aren’t affecting the vibe of the hall though.
‘‘It still involves the same old principles of our people being the most important thing to us.
‘‘The ultimate goal is that mum, dad and the kids can come here and mum and dad can enjoy a beer or wine and the kids can be playing in the playground and have an icecream. Something here for everyone.’’
The upgrade isn’t just for the adults. The playground is set to see some changes in early 2018 with an old Toad Hall feature making an appearance.
Morris said one of the most difficult things was removing their mascot.
‘‘The heartstrings were struggling to take Mr Toad down’’, but he will live on amongst some ‘‘interesting play equipment’’ going in.