By Andrew Ashton. COFFEE ON THE BEACH: Magnet coffee manager Irina Schneuwly. PHOTO / DUNCAN BROWN. HBT18094303.JPG INSPIRING: The Box owner Al Borrie. PHOTO / WARREN BUCKLAND.HBT18056301.JPG
Following in the footsteps of Christchurch's post-quake "container mall", coffee-lovers around Hawke's Bay are increasingly looking to find their caffeine hit in converted shipping containers.
Al Borrie set up the Box coffee shop in Clive in June, 2011 and since then the whole container concept has taken off around the region, with life-changing results for some.
"Back then it was a pretty new thing that suited our business model pretty well", Borrie said.
"We got a good location, situated on a main road with easy parking. It sort of ticked all the boxes."
"Back when we first started there were no other coffee shops at all in the area. It's been great for us. We have a nice little spot here and we're as busy as ever."
Red Bridge Coffee co-owner Melissa Campbell set up her own container outlet with husband Ant, after being partly inspired by the Box.
Just a year after setting up in Tukituki, the couple now have two container operations on the go, and a new community spirit being established in their wake.
Campbell said they chose their first site on a corner paddock on Waimarama Rd for several reasons.
"We thought it would be really cool if we could set up there, because there's nowhere really locally to get good coffee, and so while we were living in Palmerston North we kind of had the lightbulb-idea to build there on that site."
So far the operation had "exceeded expectations" and a second container had now opened on Pakowhai Rd.
"We've built up quite a good reputation for good coffee and we've had fantastic feedback.
"If you look at Tukituki, we are just completely amazed about what customers say about us and how they say it has changed their lives. It's built up a community, it's a conversation point, it's a meeting point for farmers. It's brought the community together."
Magnet coffee manager Irina Schneuwly. Photo / Duncan Brown
Magnet co-owner Tamara Melville said she and husband Pete decided to go with the container concept because it was initially planned for the coffee shop to be a "pop-up" operation on Marine Parade beach.
"It was easily removable, which was a win-win for the council too. Initially, it was a bit of an experiment for them because they had never allowed any commercial business on the park or reserve before.
"The concept was to have something of a pop-up in nature just to see how it went over the summer."
Now in their second summer, the council had granted them permission to operate all-year round for the next three years.
"The benefits of the container just allows people to sit there and have that coffee but enjoy the view too. When friends used to come over we wanted to take them somewhere with a view as well, so that's how it all came about.
"There's a really cool vibe of just being that beach shack feel. Everyone's just chilled and relaxed because you're on the beach.
Having space outside also meant the premises were ideal for groups of children.
"One thing we find that is our bread and butter during the week are mothers' coffee groups, Magnet has really attracted several mothers' groups at once - so it's prams galore."
