Showing the love over a long weekend

The entrance has been opened up, some freezers weren’t put back to create better flow around the store and it now looks a lot brighter and more inviting. They still have the same great selection of fresh produce and international foods and Tony told me they had also noticed a small lift in customers since the change to orange.

Kevin Hopgood, from Hopgood’s & Co Restaurant and Bar, told me they made sure they maintained good systems and practices during the various Covid levels and traffic light settings so their staff and customers would be safe.

‘‘It meant a few less tables and all of our staff wearing masks, but we were able to keep trading.

‘‘Like every business, we had staff who had to self-isolate as close contacts, so we had to deal with staffing issues too.

‘‘We had some quiet weeks but worked hard on things like winemaker dinners to keep things ticking over and as soon as the orange light setting was announced we noticed an immediate increase in bookings.’’

The change happening just before Easter was also a great thing for every business bringing a significant increase in people visiting the region. I think the spending that happened over Easter in centres outside the main urban areas, that have much smaller local populations, has been very welcome.

At Māpua, operators saw a boost over the Easter weekend.

Pat Stowe, from Rimu Wine Bar on the Māpua Wharf, told me ‘‘it was like summer trading’’.

He also told me that the wharf area had actually been doing quite well during the various Covid restriction levels.

‘‘I think people come here to get some fresh air on the wharf and that has seen most businesses more than holding their own.

‘‘Māpua has been an easy and safe destination for people, even for people stopping for coffee and lunch when they are cycling on the Great Taste Cycle Trail.’’

‘‘The fantastic weather over the long weekend encouraged more people out of their homes and into the sun on the wharf at Māpua, so the area has been really buzzing.

‘‘While there has been lots of people from out of town it’s our locals who have really appreciated the things different businesses offer on the wharf all year.’’

At the Rimu Wine Bar they have expanded slightly and now have seating on the south-west side of the building ‘‘so people get to sit in the late afternoon sun sheltered from the sea breeze’’.

‘‘We just need it to continue after Easter, people need to remember that Māpua is a delightful place to enjoy all year, not just summer.’’

And that goes for every business in this wonderful region. Get out and enjoy everything the region has to offer and try and shop local rather than spending all your money on-line from the comfort of your couch with businesses out of the region – or out of the country.

You can start by heading to Upper Moutere this weekend and trying some outstanding artisanal products from the Moutere Artisans.