New business is 'sweet as'

When the owners of Whangarei's new chocolate boutique say business is "sweet as", it really is.

De la Rei opened its doors in John St on March 1 in time for the Easter rush and customers have been steadily coming through since.

Alex and Michelle Kim's shop offers an assortment of sweets and lollies imported from Britain and the United States, chocolates handmade in Warkworth and handmade "bouquets" - with tissue flowers featuring chocolates in the centre - created by Mrs Kim.

Mr Kim says upmarket boutique style sweet shops are popular in countries such as the United States and Australia but are relatively new to New Zealand.

"We have just the retail shop now but later on we would also like to expand into wholesaling," Mr Kim said.

They also want to be in the wedding catering market, he said.

Mr Kim has been in New Zealand for about 20 years and prides himself as being one of the longest staying Korean-Whangarei residents.

"Whangarei is my second hometown," he said.

There is a strong Korean community in Whangarei of around 200, according to Mr Kim.

Mr Kim arrived from Korea and started working in a sweet factory in central Auckland in 1993, then moved up to Whangarei in 1995.

He has had several business ventures, including an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) school and a motel.

He then opted to work at Pak'n Save part-time for four years to learn customer service skills, as well as enrolling in NorthTec for further training in accountancy and business.

Then he saw the opportunity to start a chocolate boutique with his wife.