Central city block's potential pulls in businesses

Vacancies are filling fast in the 100 Heretaunga St block, with Brendocs Smokehouse Café the third store to open in recent weeks.

Susan McDade, from the Hastings City Business Association, said retailers were "finally discovering what the block has to offer".

"From a retailer perspective, the 100 East Block has the best of both worlds," she said. "It's effectively central CBD and the rents are affordable. It's a great location for start-up businesses or pop-up stores wanting to test the market. New tenants and investment in retail is a clear indication business confidence is improving."

Dawn O'Dea and Brendon Lovell, owners of Brendocs Smokehouse Café, recently relocated from Wellington to open the cafe.

"We both have family in Hawke's Bay and have been looking to open our business here for months," Ms O'Dea said.

"We looked in Napier but this is the perfect location for us - affordable rent and great foot traffic.

"It's also good to be located close to other food retailers so customers have a choice."

Sushi Club from Napier opened in July two stores up from the ANZ building and was reportedly "trading above expectations".

Cinema Hastings and the building's owners, have confirmed a major upgrade of the complex at the start of February 2014.

The complex will close for 10-12 weeks then reopen as Focal Point Cinema & Café. The refurbished complex will include new cinema seats and a fully licensed café.

New digital projection systems will be installed this month, giving access to an even larger range of films.

The new projectors are the start of what will be the first significant re-investment into the cinema complex since 1994.

Ms McDade said the new food outlets and cinema upgrade would create needed after-hours options in the city.

"The new businesses in the 100 East block add diversity to the existing CBD retail mix and will work well with the weekly Hastings City Night Market that starts on November 7, this year."