Cookware retailer moves online

A stalwart of Auckland's cooking and kitchenware sector closed its doors this week to start a new era as an online business.

The Epicurean Workshop in Morrow St, Newmarket, has been selling specialty cookware online since 2000 and owner Catherine Bell said the decision to sell exclusively online after 17 years was largely so she could pursue other ventures.

But it also reflected a more competitive and well provisioned market.

"In 1989, New Zealand was a desert on the face of the cookware world and we had to import 75 per cent of our stock from France and beyond."

The Epicurean was the first to offer French bakeware and other products such as large white serving platters and one-piece stainless steel utensils and silicone spatulas.

"We scoured the world for the finest kitchenware and also introduced the country to many new ingredients such as arborio rice and polenta. Today, they're as common in our cooking as mint sauce on roast lamb. Now, we need to re-invigorate the industry once more," Bell said.

Retailing for small independents had become more difficult, particularly because of seven-day trading.

"It was really important to stay ahead of the pack to maintain a point of difference and that had become more challenging," Bell said.

"Certainly, it was hard for a sole independent business owner like myself to sustain that sort of commitment to a retail business long term."

As editor of quarterly food magazine Dish, Bell won't stray far from cooking and will continue as a food and cookware consultant.

The Epicurean Cafe will remain in the premises, which have been taken over by stationery store Magazzino.

Although closed for now, the Epicurean Cooking School will re-open mid-year in a new location.