New Plymouth Palmers and café

ABC Business sales brokers Graeme Finch and Greg Dunn are selling Palmers and Cafe Botannix, at the corner of Katere and Devon Roads, Fitzroy, in New Plymouth.

The asking price for the business is $695,000 made up of tangible assets estimated at $200,000; intangible assets at $255,000 and stock at $240,000.

Finch and Dunn say with more than 80,000 residents, relatively high levels of employment and a solid economy, New Plymouth provides an excellent setting for this type of business.

Local prosperity is derived from dairying, petrochemicals and tourism, with Lonely Planet last year naming Taranaki one of the world's best regions to visit.

"Gardening is enjoyed by more than half of the population," says Finch. "Having operated for 50 years, the Palmers' brand is at the forefront of this popular kiwi hobby.

"The brand has been owned and operated by Palmers Franchise Systems Ltd (PFS) since 2006 — and 14 individual Palmers stores are owned and operated by local independent franchisees across the North Island.

"There are 10 Cafe Botannix operations at Palmers stores, where they provide a destination shopping, eating experience and add to the overall experience."

Finch says Palmers New Plymouth began operating in 1990 and in September 2011 it was purchased by the vendors, Martin Thompson and Debra Simes.

"The couple have cultivated a loyal customer base, worked with community groups, supported events and built annual sales," says Finch.

"They are now ready to move on to pursue new challenges."

Palmers is one of New Zealand's largest and longest established garden centre retailers and a proven franchised garden retail chain.

Dunn says Palmers New Plymouth could be owned and managed in a variety of formats.

"A new owner could manage both the Palmers garden centre/retail and Botannix cafe," he says. It is currently operated by its two working owners, plus two full time staff and six part-timers.

"The option to operate the Palmers garden centre and retail side of the business; and sell the Botannix cafe as a going concern, has been done via successful franchises elsewhere.

"Or the reverse of this would also be possible — selling the Palmers garden/retail centre and retaining the Cafe Botannix," says Dunn.

Dunn says the store well organised and visually appealing, attributes including:

• a wide range of gardening supplies from plants, plant health care, landscaping supplies, pots, containers, water features, indoor and outdoor furniture and garden art;
• a large selection of gifts, home decor and apparel;
• a selection of cabinet food, cakes and slices, home cooked breakfasts, brunch and lunch, hot and cold beverages in a relaxing garden setting; and
• the owners have engaged with groups in the local community to provide a "free venue" as a way of attracting shoppers who would not normally visit a garden centre. As well as traditional garden-related workshops, events include, live music, fashion shows, floral art awards and exhibition and evening meetings for groups, including meals.

Potential developments for the store include: bulk landscaping supplies; a landscape/garden design and installation service; an in-store florist; the addition of further leisure sales categories such as outdoor furniture, and spa pools.

Prospective growth for the cafe could include out-catering; earlier opening times, such as from 7am to attract early morning traffic; later closing times; evening functions (owner operated or as a concession); obtaining an on-licence for the sale of alcohol; an expanded seating area within the garden centre.

Palmers New Plymouth is open 7 days a week from 8.30am-5.30pm while Cafe Botannix New Plymouth is open 7 days a week 8:30am-4pm.