Snow brings avalanche of customers

WELCOME: Aaron and Paula Peters operate coffee cart Kiwi Coffee and Kai on State Highway 2 at the foothills of the Rimutaka Hill Rd. The coffee cart also doubles as a small art gallery featuring Mrs Peters' mosaic artwork.

Motorists waiting out the snow at the start of the Rimutaka Hill Rd yesterday morning were grateful for the early morning warmth of the Kiwi Coffee and Kai, the small coffee cart and minor art gallery on State Highway 2.

It was the first time owners Aaron and Paula Peters had experienced a car and truck queue outside the cart in their two months of operation - but they weren't about to start complaining.

The pair said they open at 5.30am during the week for commuter traffic, staying open up to 11am.

But if the hill shuts at night, Mr Peters said they'll open up as well for people waiting.

"We do what we can for the people," he said.

He said they have about 30 regulars among commuters heading over the hill "but there's been a lot of new faces today".

"Hopefully they will like the coffee and come back."

The couple offer Havana coffee and food, including "tasty cheese gems", giant seafood fritters and filled rolls.

Mr Peters used to work in construction as a concrete cutter in Wellington, so moving to coffee "wasn't that far along the alphabet".

Mrs Peters is a mosaic and glass artist, with her wares on display for customers to contemplate while she prepares their coffee.

"I've turned it into a kind of gallery," she said.

The pair say they love the coffee cart operation.

"We love working for ourselves," said Mrs Peters.

Mr Peters added: "We get to spend a lot of time together."

The Rimutaka Hill Road opened shortly before 1pm, with the Peters' staying open until that point.