Rural lifestyle, with income

The Colenso Cafe is a popular stopover on the Coromandel Peninsula with indoor and outdoor seating for 150 people.

The award-winning Colenso Cafe, a landmark stopover for drivers on the Coromandel Peninsula, is being offered for sale for the first time in 25 years as a going concern business on a freehold property.

"This sale is a great opportunity for someone seeking a country lifestyle accompanied by income from a strong brand and the potential to grow revenues," says David Barton, business sales specialist with Metro Commercial, Auckland, who, with Sandie Faiers of First National, Tairua, is selling it by tender closing on Friday, February 14.

"Alternatively a purchaser could consider buying the property and leasing out the business."

Colenso Cafe is on State Highway 25 at Whenuakite almost midway between Tairua and Whitianga.

The sale has three components:

The Colenso Cafe (Lot 1) encompassing 1.5ha of land, the cafe building, a 3-bedroom homestead, a packing shed and the Colenso cafe business.

The Colenso Trail (Lot 2) comprising 16.7 ha of lifestyle land.

The Bamboo Grove (Lot 3) containing 7 ha of lifestyle land.

Barton says Colenso cafe was established by the current owners, Ruth and Andy Pettitt, and has featured in numerous magazines, on travel websites and on television.

"It is well located to capture patrons driving along State Highway 25 and has become its own destination as a stopover for tourists and the locals," he says.

"The wooden building housing the business exhibits a wonderful blend of country and contemporary construction and is set in established grounds and has 30 car parks."

The cafe, which operates daily from 10am to 5pm, has a fully equipped kitchen and preparation area and the appropriate food and liquor licences.

Inside the cafe building, a separate area displays gifts, local art and artisan food for sale - all selected to reflect "the Colenso style".

A colonial wood stove adds to the atmosphere of the cafe on chilly days, and outdoor heaters help take the chill off those sitting outside.

Barton says the cafe has indoor and outdoor seating options for about 150 people, catering for individuals through to large groups.

"Exterior seating is under a grove of established fruit trees that provides a tranquil and picturesque setting. A further area of established gardens with a pagoda and a small playground adds to the ambience and provides the ideal setting for special occasions, functions - or simply, an outing for the whole family.

"Weddings could be held on site, using the packing shed as an indoor venue."

Barton says an adjoining three-level homestead has been lovingly modernised to create a warm and inviting family dwelling and is set in private and established gardens.

The open-plan kitchen/dining/living area has polished timber flooring with a large open fireplace and north-facing window seat with all-day sun.

The first floor has a family bathroom, formal living area, office, reading nook and a second open fireplace opening out on to a deck.

The second floor has three double bedrooms and an ensuite bathroom with all bedrooms having good views of the mature gardens.

At the back of the cafe is a citrus orchard and a bountiful herb and vegetable garden.

Barton says a purchaser will not only be buying a profitable cash-flow business with a homestead and 1.5ha of land but also the Colenso Cafe brand.

"Colenso is known for its quality food, Atomic coffee and clever mix of a country/contemporary environment which offers considerable scope for an astute buyer to build on."

Barton says the two lifestyle blocks on either side of the cafe are on separate titles and can be bought with the Colenso cafe block or individually.

Lot 2 is fertile land divided into private paddocks separated by established shelter belts and native trees.

Lot 3 is fertile rolling land, divided into paddocks by established shelter belts and a bamboo grove.