New Handsome Frog Café and Shoppe owners see lower Bank Street area as 'hip part of town'

Ian Stuart and Janet Davis have opened a new business in central Whangārei. Photo / John Stone

The owners of a new Bank St café believe the CBD location is now a "hip part of town" and will see more of the same types of businesses open up.

Ian and Janet Sturt opened Handsome Frog Café and Shoppe in June.

"This is becoming the hip end of town with parking close by at the TAB carpark just across the road, and also the council carpark in Water Street which is directly behind the café," Janet said.

Ian, a trained chef, and Janet, a medical herbalist and nutritionist, serve artisan bread, pies and pastries, using locally produced RUSH Organic Coffee from Mangāwhai.

The UK couple own their own catering company, and catered for the 2017 Food Conference, producing more than 600 meals in two days. The duo also served their produce at the successful Gourmet Night Markets.

The café opening also comes after the opening of Biggie Bagels next door earlier this year.