Build it, they will come: Business booming in Owaka
A new boutique being built in Owaka is the first new building in the township since 2007.
Carol Sinclair has designed the building and she hopes to have The Black Sheep Boutique opened by Christmas.
Earlier she ran her business from a rented part of a building.
‘‘I checked out houses already there, but in the end decided to build one.’’ She intends to sell clothing, jewellery, kiwiana, giftware, Aussie Soles jandals and sandals, and knick-knacks.
‘‘If more businesses open, more people will come,’’ she said.
Another new shop in town is Paper Road, an eclectic range of secondhand books, art, vinyl records and knick-knacks.
It also has an unusual display of vintage motorbikes, and is owned and run by Victoria Perrior and her partner Pete Knapton.
Perrior has also recently taken over Jude McNab’s handmade organic soap factory.
Meanwhile, The LumberJack Bar and Cafe´ has changed hands recently to Louise and Max Herold, who have moved from Queenstown and bought a house.
Max was a chef at the Heritage Queenstown and Louise worked as a rooms division manager.
‘‘Friends were here and we came down and got to know the area; house prices were a major factor in our decision, and with them low you don’t need such a high-paying job.’’
She has had more than 20 years’ experience in hospitality, Max 13 years. They have plans and ideas for the LumberJack and hope to grow the business.
‘‘People come in with stories of bricks from Benhar and wood from the train bridge and the toilets have the names of people who worked at White Stores [an old-time grocery and farm supplies store, what the building was called before Janice and Darrell Johnson made it into a restaurant].’’
Other businesses thriving or changing ownership in Owaka and its environs include Earthlore, the insect farm, Catlins Cafe´ which changed ownership this year, River Ridge, Tirimoana, Whistling Frog, Gevadi ethnic clothing shop, and it is expected that a Japanese wedding venue will be operating soon in the Owaka Valley.
Dave’s Coffee shop has been a welcome addition to the town and is proving popular as is Art in the Catlins.