Napier's Westshore Fish Cafe has had a cult following for more than four decades. Photo / Supplied
Napier's Westshore Fish Cafe has had a cult following for more than four decades. Photo / Supplied
A 'landmark' suburban fish and chip shop and restaurant with a long history of serving up deep fried delicacies is now for sale.
Westshore Fish Cafe in the Napier suburb of Westshore has had a cult following of sorts for more than four decades — serving up a full range of seafood options to both dine-in or takeaway customers.
Current owners Mike and Desiree Persen who have been growing their business steadily over the past five years, both having fond memories of being customers at the Westshore Fish Supply as teenagers.
Westshore is Napier's northernmost peninsula suburb, with the expansive beach on the eastern side, and an inner-harbour eco-wetland on the western boundary.
Now the Westshore Fish Cafe business is being marketed for sale by negotiation through Bayleys Hawke's Bay.
Salesperson Sam MacDonald says the well-known eatery benefits from being both and on and off-premise operation "serving two portions of the market … literally."
"Few other Hawke's Bay fish and chip outlets can capitalise on dual segments of the fast food and hospitality markets simultaneously all-year-round," says MacDonald.
"Forty years is a long-time in the fish and chip scene anywhere in New Zealand. Westshore Fish Cafe's longevity is testament to the lasting appeal and reputation of the venue supported by its service offerings.
During winter the restaurant draws in clientele dining a-la-carte. Photo / Supplied
"For example, in the warmer months, Westshore's location means it's conveniently positioned for locals to pop in for their takeaways to enjoy picnic-style on the nearby dual sea foreshores, just a hundred or so metres away.
"Conversely, in winter the restaurant draws in clientele dining a-la-carte. The menu and décor has deliberately been designed to service a regular 'neighbourhood' customer-base rather than aiming its offering at the upmarket tourist sectors catered for in Napier's central city and Ahuriri hospitality hubs."
Westshore Fish Café is licensed to serve 32 patrons in its restaurant area — with the venue open Tuesday to Sunday for dinners, and Thursday to Sunday for lunches.
The business employs a full-time manager and eight rostered part-time staff across the kitchen and front-of-house sectors.
It's menus are showcased in the guest services compendiums of Westshore's motels, and unlike many fish and chip shops, it runs a dedicated website.
Westshore Fish Cafe's revenues in the 2017/2018 financial year are up 29.3 per cent on the 2015/2016 financial year. Concurrently, net profit generated is also up 52.8 per cent over the same comparative period.
"Mike and Desiree's business ethos has been to source the best quality produce available, rather than the cheapest. While this may mean menu items are slightly more expensive at Westshore than what consumers would pay at other fish and chip, the numbers clearly show that customers are prepared to pay for quality," MacDonald says.
"For example, Westshore's fish offering features quality catches such as john dory, gurnard, tarakihi, cod, and snapper, rather than the cheaper inferior species of Vietnamese basa or lemon fish… shark.
"That strategy is successfully sustained by the affluent Westshore resident demographic, which is generally in the upper income echelons for Napier as a whole. And with the convenience of substantial parking immediately outside the venue, it really is a 'neighbourhood' destination supported by strong repeat business."
Chattels included in the Westshore Fish Cafe business sale include the commercial-grade food preparation and cooking equipment, the walk-in refrigeration and freezer units, tableware, glasses, crockery, and bar fit-out.
The business is now on a three-year-lease running through to 2020 at its location in 112A Charles St, with a further three-year right of renewal. It is located within a small block of suburban shops.
MacDonald says the interior lay-out allows for the kitchen to service both on and off-premise orders from the same kitchen to maximise efficiency.
