Latin American dancing brought some flair to Dannevirke's new Saigon Restaurant.
Latin American dancing brought some flair to Dannevirke's new Saigon Restaurant.
Dannevirke's High St has become a hive of activity as new businesses open, filling previously empty retail spaces.
"In the last three or four months, we've had eight or nine new businesses begin trading. And where else in New Zealand would they have so many new outlets on their mainstreets?" said Suresh Patel, chairman of the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce.
"This is good for our town as these new arrivals are filling premises which have been vacant for some time."
Saigon Restaurant owner Giang Do (right) with his son Maui and wife Truc at the launch of his new business.
Mr Patel said the new shops, which include a bedroom furniture store, a doughnut shop, restaurants, two new discount stores, Derek's Electrical and its associated gift store, are debunking the myth that there's no choice for shoppers in Dannevirke.
For Homes For Farms principal Craig Boyden agreed that having fewer empty shops was good news.
Esther McHardy (middle), of accountancy firm MCI and Associates, enjoying Latin American dancing at the opening of Saigon Restaurant.
"There's some new energy around because there's a food orientation about some of our new businesses. And, given we've got a prime spot on State Highway 2, with 8000 vehicles a day passing through, I've always advocated for signage at both entrances to our town," said Mr Boyden.
"All the food and beverage outlets could be promoted together, be numbered and have lights which glow to let travellers know what's open.
Part of the cultural display of Vietnamese dancing at the restaurant, which aims to "put Vietnamese culture on a plate".
"We've 8000 vehicles coming through but you've still got to get them to stop. After 30 years here, I still have to go out and attract business."
One new business is Saigon Restaurant, which has opened on the corner of High and Barraud Streets.
Launching his restaurant and takeaway business, which serves full Vietnamese cuisine, owner Giang Do says he likes small towns and is putting his faith in Dannevirke.
"I know my future is in this region for the rest of my life, so that's why I purchased this building," Mr Do told the Dannevirke News.
"There are fantastic opportunities for us all."
He has promoted the restaurant as "putting Vietnamese culture on a plate", the launched the business with a colourful array of Vietnamese, Chilean and Colombian dancers to give the opening night an Asian and Latin American flair.
Along with fantastic food, Mr Do is also planning to open a Vietnamese retail outlet on-site.
Further along High St, the Hi-Way Dairy has new owners, Hiren and Pooja Shiroyo who have moved to Dannevirke from Auckland.
Meanwhile, on the other side of High St, the Sol Shoes and Fashion store has closed because of health reasons.
