New manager for local supermarket

FRANK NELSON

Last week Chris Williams took over as owner/operator of the Blenheim New World supermarket on Freswick St. The 30-year-old has moved from Otago to Marlborough with his wife Danel, a beauty therapist, and their four-month-old son, Austin.

The move means Chris is now running an operation almost twice the size of his previous role as owner/operator of the Balclutha New World. He has also worked at supermarkets in Christchurch and Timaru.

“I’m happy to be in a great location and a great store,” he says, speaking just three days into the job. “Right now I’m just getting to know the customers and staff, so no changes on the horizon.”

After many years in retail and hospitality, David Sutherland is finally calling it quits and closing his business Brews and Ques, a shop devoted to home brewing and all things barbecue.

David, who’s been at the Scott St location just over four years, expects to close the doors later this month though he’s still considering keeping an online presence, especially for the home brewing products.

Twelve months ago Anette Drewery, the owner of Italian designer clothing store Molto Bella, was trading out of her house on Francis St; today she’s preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of her shop now firmly established in the heart of Blenheim’s retail area.

This resourceful Queen St retailer, who admits to a passion for natural fibres, specializes in Italian linen clothing. However, she also stocks such other international items as Belgium cushions, Moroccan pottery plus handbags and purses from Italy and France.

Urvish Patel and Svagat Patel, joint owners of RE Burger which recently opened on Grove Rd, believe they are bringing something special to Blenheim burger lovers.
They say their gourmet beef and chicken burgers are packed full of the finest and freshest ingredients, flavours and sauces -- including local eggs and vegetables -- all presented with personal, friendly service.

RE Burger, which began life as a food truck in Dunedin a decade ago, has now grown into a network of around three dozen franchises across the country.

Sally and Stephen Harnett are selling their Spring Creek horticultural business, Golden Mile Produce, after about seven years spent developing and running the almost three-hectare property.

Starting virtually from scratch, the couple have built up a business mainly growing hydroponic strawberries together with a wide range of salad vegetables and Asian greens, plus other crops and fruit.

"We grow about 25 different crops at any one time,” says Sally. They supply some two dozen cafes and restaurants in the region besides selling at the weekly Blenheim Farmers Market.

Sally says the property, which includes a two-bedroom cottage and is listed at just over $1.6 million, would equally suit anyone looking for a lifestyle block without the commercial production.

Got any business news you want to share? Comments, tips, suggestions? Just contact [email protected]