The ElleCee Cafe is famous throughout Northland.
Whatever way you slice and dice it, the award-winning ElleCee Cafe is famous throughout Northland.
Herein lies an opportunity, because land and buildings belonging to the popular Kaipara cafe are now on the market for sale.
ElleCee Cafe, which has previously hosted a popular TV cooking show, is located in the town of Ruawai, 30km south of Dargaville.
Arguably the top cafe in the area, it services locals and visitors travelling through the region, being known for the quality of its food and drinks.
It is easily identified by passing traffic travelling the West Coast Highway, State Highway 12.
Started 14 years ago by the current vendor, the eatery was voted Best Northland Cafe for 2010 and runner-up in the Northland Naturally Business Awards 2006.
It was also the venue of cooking show Cafe Secrets hosted by prolific chef and author Julie Le Clerc.
In the popular TV3 show Le Clerc travelled the country, stopping to cook at cafes of special interest.
Over five days during the Junior Trans-Tasman Rugby tournament, three episodes featuring ElleCee Cafe were filmed, capturing the involvement between the community and rugby. Le Clerc helped out with extra dishes to feed the visitors and joined the Ruawai supporters at the big match.
The freehold land and buildings, which are currently leased, have been placed on the market for sale through Bayleys Whangarei by auction on April 8, having a CV of $90,000. The property is being marketed by salespeople Leah O'Driscoll and Ross Blomfield.
The street-frontage property is centrally located in the main street at 23 Freyberg Rd, on the northern edge of the Ruawai town centre.
The location offers customers easy access and has good profile, says O'Driscoll.
Originally a service station, the property underwent a full conversion into a cafe by the owner in the early 2000s.
The building occupies 88sq m, with the balance of the 433sq m square section including a covered dining courtyard and a customer parking area.
The building is leased to established business, the ElleCee Cafe for $10,400 plus GST. The lease commenced in December 2013 with one three-year right of renewal in December 2016.
"The sale of this property is an opportunity for a new owner to take over an investment providing a passive income. The ElleCee Cafe is a well-known, established business in a prominent location that enjoys repeat custom and is a great support for the local dairy farming community," says O'Driscoll.
Zoned Commercial, the building's cladding comprises mixed concrete block, HardiePlank and corrugated iron with a Colorsteel roof, concrete foundations and lino and tile flooring.
"Inside, the building features a commercial kitchen, office, storeroom, indoor seating for up to 25 customers, and outdoor seating for another 25 people.
"There are two customer toilets with disabled access and on and off-street parking to make access easy," says O'Driscoll.
"Situated in the heart of Ruawai, the cafe offers a full menu of mains, salads, sides and cabinet food, in addition to a wide range of hot and cold drinks. The cafe is open six days a week from 9am till 4pm," says Blomfield.
"This property offers a buyer the opportunity to take over a tenanted investment with an established reputation.
"There is plenty of scope to develop the operation, including extending opening hours, obtaining a liquor licence hosting private functions and events, or to revive the theme evenings or hobby groups that were once a popular attraction."