Find your garden of Eden at Cafe Paradiso

Cafe Paradiso also boasts native ferns, trees, water features and a delightful children's playground.

Cafe Paradiso, one of the Bay of Plenty's most popular hospitality businesses just 10 minutes' drive west of Tauranga on State Highway 2 has been put on the market.

"The sale of this garden cafe provides an excellent business opportunity in the sunny Bay of Plenty for a buyer seeking a lifestyle change," says Malcolm Gordon of ABC Business Sales, Tauranga, who is marketing the going concern business within leased premises for an asking price of $275,000 plus stock.

"Seldom do well-established cafes like this become available," Gordon says. Trading seven days a week from 8 am to 4 pm the cafe, at 7 Clarke Rd in the affluent suburb of Te Puna, is open on most statutory holidays which are always heavily booked. The property seats up to 60 patrons inside with seating for another 30 outside on the enclosed deck during fine weather.

"Cafe Paradiso provides a welcome respite for travellers and locals with its oasis like setting enhanced by native ferns, trees, water features and a delightful children's playground," Gordon says. "The café is also complemented by a charming gift and art boutique retail outlet nearby."

The cafe was created from a former bungalow in October 2003. An expansive kitchen is fitted with commercial appliances including two Blue Seal gas cookers, deep fryers and a turbo fan oven that provide freshly prepared food quickly and consistently.

Gordon says the business has benefited from a recent modernisation and refurbishment programme. "This has contributed to the revenue increasing by 17 per cent on the previous year," he says. The current lease, which is "fair and reasonable," has a further 10 years to run with rent reviews two-yearly.

Convenient parking and easy access has made Cafe Paradiso a popular stopping place for coaches and bus tours from the many cruise ships visiting the port of Tauranga. The cafe is also patronised by various special interest groups including trampers and Probus groups; and is a favourite venue for family celebrations, business and club meetings, and school PTA functions.

"The last recent Mother's Day was the cafe's busiest day of the year with 340 pre-booked dining patrons accommodated along with many more walk-ins," Gordon says.

"A small portion of the business is derived from catering out and there is certainly scope to develop this portion of the business further," he says.

Cafe Paradiso prides itself on preparing and producing all its food on the premises. The current breakfast and brunch menu offers gourmet sandwiches and light meals made to order; sweet and savoury muffins; and cabinet food that include quiches, gourmet pies, fresh seasonal salads, a variety of baked cakes, slices and biscuits. Special 'high teas" employing fine bone china are particularly popular for large family celebrations.

Gordon says the cafe has developed an enviable reputation for its excellent seafood chowder and fabulous carrot cake.

It serves Altura coffee with an extensive range of teas available. "In addition to great tasting coffee, Altura provides exceptional barista training and technical support," he says.

The business is also fully licensed to serve a selection of imported and local beers and the New Zealand crafted Tohu wine range.

"The cafe is well staffed with robust accounting systems and administration procedures in place," Gordon says.

"The current owner works four days a week with staff comprising two chefs, a kitchen hand, two front of house workers and four part-time waitresses."

He says the cafe business would ideally suit a hands-on operator or a working couple but it could also suit an investor with the present team managing the business and providing a reasonable return.

"The front of house staff is excellent and the business has experienced chefs in place, so its purchase should provide a seamless transition to a new owner."