Business Beat: Another link in the Malisa chain

FRANK NELSON

He’s from Estonia, she’s from Thailand, and they only met after both had arrived in Blenheim in 2010. Since then, however, Bruno and June Handsmitt have proven themselves to be ambitious and successful business partners.

This entrepreneurial couple already launched Malisa Asian Shop in Redwoodtown and Malisa Nails Spa Massage on Scott Street, both named after their 12-year-old daughter, Malisa.

Now they have just opened Malisa Asian Shop on Market Street, a store in the centre of Blenheim offering ingredients and a wide range of other foodstuffs from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Stephanie McIntyre has recently been appointed chief executive officer of Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW), an organisation dedicated to protecting and promoting the unique character, quality and integrity of the province’s wines.

The group’s website shows roughly 60 members who, after meeting certain sustainability, wine quality and other criteria, are able to add the AMW certification to their labelling.

The new CEO brings with her more than 20 years’ experience in various roles within the Marlborough wine industry so is already very familiar with many of those AMW members.

To succeed in the highly competitive restaurant industry, it helps to have something special that sets you apart from the competition. For the Slip Inn at Havelock Marina, that something is a uniquely authentic Italian experience.

Owner and chef Allessandro Arnetoli, who trained and worked for many years in Tuscany, and his team offer monthly private dinners for up to 24 people. Guests gather at one long table, serenaded by Italian music, to sip Italian wines and enjoy a five- or six-course dinner that, in true Italian style, may last five or six hours.

Though diners don’t know exactly what they will be served until it arrives at the table, they are guaranteed genuine Mediterranean cuisine, where possible using the finest Marlborough ingredients.

It could still be two or three years — maybe longer — before the final northern stage of the Whale Trail extends from the top of the Elevation just south of Picton down into the township itself.

And, before that part of the cycle route connecting Picton to Kaikoura is finally open, the ambitious project has to clear a number of challenging financial, regulatory and administrative hurdles.

So kudos to the proactive Picton Business Group, which recently pulled together the first meeting to discuss how Picton needs to prepare for the thousands of extra visitors the trail is eventually expected to funnel into town.

Issues discussed included the need for bike-friendly accommodation, bike storage and repairs, safe cycling routes into and around the town, beautification, signage, maps and toilets.

“We’re trying to ready Picton as a Whale Trail terminus and destination,” said business group member Richard Briggs.

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