Rock the surfer lifestyle with cafe
Raglan’s famous Rock-It Kitchen is on the market for the first time.
ABC Business Sales’ Craig Paul who is brokering the property says: “Imagine owning your own caf restaurant in one of New Zealand’s coolest beach towns.
“It is set in a peaceful and natural rural setting, with vistas of rolling hills and a tidal stream that flows past.
“Many customers paddleboard or kayak from town on the incoming tide and stop for a meal before returning on the outgoing tide.
“Raglan just gets more and more popular as time goes on.”
Rock-It Kitchen, just 3 kilometres from central Raglan, is not far from the main beach with its world-famous surf breaks and nearby kite surfing, mountain bike tracks, and Wainui bush reserve walking tracks.
The iconic old woolshed building was transported to the property about 20 years ago and used as an art studio for local artist Ken Thomas. Ken is responsible for the colourful and Instagrammable walls and had a surf shop where the private dining room is selling screen-printed surf wear and shaped boards under his brands Rock-it and Kina boys.
In 2013, the art studio turned into a destination cafe and the commercial kitchen, toilet block, and large outdoor covered deck were built.
In summer, Rock-it Kitchen is open seven days a week for daytime trading with evening dining added on Friday and Saturday nights, and has a sevenday liquor licence. The inside cafe seats 40, with seating for another 25 in the private room, plus bar leaners and room for 50 - 80 outside.
It serves locally roasted coffee and the menu as Kiwi with a twist, with influences from around the world.
“It is also a popular venue for functions and is booked most weekends throughout the year and often booked twice daily for lunch then dinner,” says Paul.
“Rock-It is fortunate to have a loyal local customer base of regulars who are the main bread and butter over the quieter May to October season. It's also very popular with work groups/ team building especially for Christmas work functions."
Paul says that building will soon be underway at the nearby new 500-property subdivision of Rangitahi which will bump up the local population and bring many out-oftown tradies to the area.
"There's a huge opportunity to grow this business by tapping into the function market particularly weddings and celebrations. It's ideally situated away from town and in the perfect position to capture customers coming from the new Rangitahi subdivision" says Paul.
The revenue has been very consistent over the last three full trading years and both the lease and non-staff expenses as a percentage of total revenue are low compared to similar businesses, Paul says.
"With limited commercial real estate in Raglan, buyers are seeing this as a secure investment with limited competition.”
“Here is a very well positioned hospitality business that offers plenty of income opportunities as well as the numerous benefits of the Raglan lifestyle. There is so much you can do with Rock-It Kitchen. Its uniqueness certainly makes it an attractive business opportunity.”