Gareth Pearce in front of the yellow container that is being transformed into an eatery on a vacant site on Waipukurau's main street. Photo / Warren Buckland
Gareth Pearce in front of the yellow container that is being transformed into an eatery on a vacant site on Waipukurau's main street. Photo / Warren Buckland
A new eatery on Waipukurau's main street is set to open in the next two weeks, its owner confident it will create a talking point and attract visitors to the township to sample its signature dish - the Pukana burger.
Over the last few weeks the empty site on RuataniwhaSt had come to life with the addition of a bright yellow 12 metre shipping container, from where the business would operate, offering the pulled meat burgers as well as the likes of pizza slices, wedges and salads, coffees, milkshakes and alcohol.
Owner Gareth Pearce said he planned to add planting and outdoor seating in coming weeks, festive lights would be strung above the front of the container and music would add to the atmosphere.
"It will be rock music, that's the whole theme - I love rock music," he said.
The eatery had been named Two Taniwha kitchen and bar - a nod to Ruataniwha St where it was located.
"Because it's modular, more containers can be added on, or other people could set up businesses on the site."
Since the container had been moved on to the site and work begun he said he had had lots of people stopping in to find out what was happening and to suggest other ideas.
"I want to make this a vibrant part of town, to activate it as best I can creating a metro environment."
It would initially trade from 11am to 8pm. He said opening at the end of summer would give him and his staff time to bed in and get the processes sorted out in time for next summer.
