160 apply for dozen Pita Pit positions

PHOTO BEN FRASER

A new Pita Pit planned for Rotorua has had more than 160 applications for about 12 positions.

After several years of looking to open in Rotorua, the national food chain will open an outlet in the Redwoods Centre in late April and say the response to applications has been "amazing".

It is one of several new restaurants and bars that are opening or have just opened in Rotorua. Rotorua franchise owner Phil Haines said they had considerable customer requests to open in Rotorua over a number of years and were pleased to finally be opening in one of the last remaining areas without a Pita Pit.

He said the Redwoods Centre was becoming a destination for locals to visit for various quick service food options. He believed Pita Pit would attract more customers to the centre and complement the other food establishments there.

"Our customers are increasingly time-poor yet health aware and Pita Pit offers a healthy, fresh and delicious option for those customers. We strongly believe that being situated close to the Redwoods and adventure activity is important to offer a healthy and convenient meal option to those adventure seekers."

He said they were currently advertising for jobs and expected to employ about 12 people.

Meanwhile work on Eat Streat's newest bar is progressing well.

Tamati Coffey and partner Tim Smith are opening Ponsonby Rd in the spot that was a hairdresser's salon.

Mr Coffey said they planned to open on March 12 and everything was coming together.

He said he was impressed with how busy Eat Streat was.

"You would think it is still Christmas."

He said the process of opening the bar had been "a bit of a learning curve".

"We feel as if we've struck gold getting a spot on Eat Street. Location is everything."

Fluver Litten has just opened Coconut Cafe and Restaurant on Fenton St, specialising in South Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine.

Mr Litten said he wanted to offer something new to Rotorua.

"It's a totally different cuisine. I just try to introduce a different style of food not available."

He said there was a strong Sri Lankan and South Indian community in the city.

MaoTao restaurant recently opened on Hinemoa St, in the building near City Focus formerly occupied by Aunty Annie's Cafe.

Its opening coincided with the Chinese New Year.

Manager Ting Wang wanted to change the way local people perceived Chinese food.

"We want to run a traditional Chinese restaurant with modern management.

"New Zealand people think they know Chinese food but in fact there are over eight different types of cuisine in China.

"We want to change people thinking Chinese food is just deep fried."

She said they chose to set up MaoTao in Rotorua when the city featured on Chinese reality TV show, Dad, Where Are We Going?

Meanwhile, Aunty Annie's Cafe and Catering owner Annie Lingman has relocated her business to further down Hinemoa St.

The main reason was because of the rent, which she said was about a third cheaper in her new location.

She said her new business had more of a focus on the catering side, with boxed food that was easy to eat on the run.

- Additional reporting Bridie Witton