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Café opens at heart of new arcade
A touch of continental style has arrived in Tākaka with the opening of a compact, colourful arcade.
At the heart of the new development, and fronting the main street, sits Good as Gold Café, which is separated from retail and office spaces by a narrow walkway.
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Owner Cheryl Elsey explains the philosophy behind the design. “We wanted to create a space that people would see as being shared.”
The mixed-use building has risen from the ashes of Bird's Emporium, which burned down in October 2020. Fire may have been the destroyer, but it also proved to be the great renewer, thanks to Cheryl and husband Ian who were determined to rebuild better on the site.
While a lot of interesting materials have been used in the construction, it is the thought behind the design that makes this project so special for Cheryl.
The walkway, for example, that links Commercial Street with Junction Street, was “inspired by the alleyways in Europe”, says Cheryl, who credits designer Rita Virtama with helping her turn the initial concept into reality.
In addition to inspiring the layout, Cheryl’s vision to represent “the old and the new” guided the selection of materials and colours used throughout. Even the names have been carefully chosen to create connections to the past.
“Good as Gold is a tribute to my dad [Trevor Boyes],” says Cheryl. “Many long-time locals will recall him saying this during his 40 years in business in Tākaka. It’s also a connection to our other two businesses, Feel Good Food and Goodness2Go.”
A tangible link to Bird's Emporium is expressed via wood salvaged from the ruins, which Ian, with help from Jack Davis, has repurposed. “All the wood inside the café is 130-year-old mataī – the table, bench seat and shelving,” says Cheryl.
The walkway is named in honour of her parents who “always had marigolds in the garden”. Walking through Marigold Way, a vibrant palette of green, red, orange, and purple strikes the eye, along with the variety of textured cladding materials, which includes weatherboard, plywood panels, and corrugated steel. Exploring the compact development also reveals a number of interesting nooks and crannies, offering all sorts of possibilities.
Good as Gold Café will initially serve “an extensive range of cabinet food and salads”, says Cheryl, adding that the menu will expand over time. “We’ll be introducing cook-to-order sometime soon. And there’ll be a few surprises over the next few months.”
Standing at the entrance to her stylish new premises, Cheryl reflects on the realisation of her vision. “I feel really proud to have created something unique.”
Good As Gold Café, Commercial Street, Tākaka. Open Monday-Friday 7am-4.30pm.
