Beach cafe venture rides a wave

Louise Donaldson outside her summer shipping container cafe About Thyme at Riversdale Beach.

Riversdale Beach holiday-makers are lapping up the chance to enjoy a coffee at the beach with a new pop-up cafe proving a hit with locals and daytrippers alike.

About Thyme, a beach-side cafe crafted from a shipping container, opened on December 20 and owner Louise Donaldson has been flat out ever since.

Miss Donaldson, who runs the cafe with the help of her mother, Marie, said she was blown away by the demand.

"We haven't even had a moment to breathe."

Many of the baked goods were often sold out by mid-morning, with regulars arriving early to buy scones, muffins or cake.

Originally from Palmerston North, the family usually spent summers in Riversdale, where they own a bach.

A cafe in Riversdale Beach was long overdue, Miss Donaldson said.

"We've said it for ages and everyone's said it -- we really need something out here ... there's nothing else out here for day trippers." After seeing the success of the pop-up container shops in Christchurch, a container cafe seemed like a perfect fit for the new business, she said.

"It's something that you can start small and build on.

"It's just a cool concept -- I didn't really like the standard coffee carts and these do really well in the weather -- they're pretty sturdy."

Specialising in organic Fair Trade coffee and home-made treats, the cafe sells as many as 200 coffees a day.

"I had no idea that people drink that much coffee. We have a lot of locals who come down every day, twice a day."

Miss Donaldson, who was formerly a naturopath, wanted to make the cafe as eco-friendly as possible.

The cafe uses biodegradable cups and all the furniture has been made from recycled crates, pellets and doors.

"I wanted to have things that are a little more forward-thinking."

If this summer continues to prove a success, she plans to expand the cafe next year, adding more products and live music.