The community of a popular new suburban Napier cafe is rallying around its owners after a burglary which mean the shop was unable to open on Tuesday.
Ethan Phillips, co-owner of Empire Coffee Roasters, fronting Allan Berry Ave in the Pirimai Plaza shopping centre, learnt of the raid after friend and customer Paul Freeman noticed things "didn't look right" and called a short while before Phillips would have headed down to open-up at 7am.
Taken were an iPad, which Phillips said was effectively the business side of the operation, plus a cash float, and an ornamental axe made by Freeman. There was minor damage to the door and lock.
The business was unable to function properly until issues relating to the use of the iPad were sorted out.
While police were told via the 105 non-emergency number officers were on the scene 30-40 minutes later, impressing Phillips who said: "We can chalk that one up for the Police."