Guidough's on Springfield Rd. Photo / Kelly Makiha
Guidough's on Springfield Rd. Photo / Kelly Makiha
A Rotorua bakery that has publicly declared it will allow vaccinated and non-vaccinated customers says it has lost business - but has gained some too.
Guidough's operates bakeries on Springfield Rd and Ranolf St selling made-on-site bakery goods.
The Springfield Rd store has a small customer area and allows onlyone person in the shop at a time.
Guidough's on Ranolf St. Photo / Kelly Makiha
The Ranolf St store has moved its cabinets to the front of the store and operates through an open door - meaning no customers can physically walk into the store.
While most food and beverage businesses are required to enforce vaccine passes, Guidough's technically falls under the retail category, meaning business owners can either opt in or out of enforcing vaccine passes.
Owner Melanie Bachmann posted on the Guidough's Facebook page on Tuesday that from Friday all customers would be welcome.
"No passports required to get your goodies," the Facebook post said.
The post sparked more than 200 comments from people both supporting its stance for not "discriminating" against those who weren't vaccinated while others said they would no longer go there.
One comment said: "Thank you Guidough's, you have a few new customers in my family because of your inclusiveness. Ignore anyone who wags their fingers in disapproval, history will not be on their side."
Another comment said: "Sorry Guidough's, your choice I know, but I won't feel safe going to get my baked goods from you guys anymore ... sad day for me as I've supported you from the start with weekly visits. All the best."
Bachmann said the business was not anti-vaccine, she simply wanted all customers to feel they could still come.
She said her business was considered a retail business and therefore could opt in or out of enforcing vaccine passports.
"We have lost a few (customers) but gained a few too so I think there's been a bit of a reshuffle (of customers)."
Bachmann said she had no idea her Facebook post would spark so much attention.
"I thought about taking it down but then I thought 'no, it's out there now' ... I'm not anti-vax, I just want my business to be open to everyone but on Facebook people have very strong opinions ... All we wanted to say is everyone is welcome."
She said there was a lot of confusion about the traffic light system because it was new and she wanted to let customers know their exact position.
She said they were very conscious of the rules with the Springfield store having a large open front window for ventilation and they only allowed one customer in the shop at a time.
The Ranolf St store did not allow anyone inside and only operated from the side of the footpath.
Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford said the latest information from the Government said bakeries that were simply selling food were not required to use vaccine passes.
"However, vaccine passes are required to be used if a bakery operates as a cafe that has a sit-down area for customers. Everyone needs to wear a mask when out shopping, including in bakeries, as this is the best way of helping keep workers and the community safe from the spread of Covid-19, alongside vaccinations."
What the rules say:
• Greengrocers, butcheries, bakeries and fishmongers are considered retail businesses and may open with capacity limits based on 1m distancing (not including workers). Face coverings are mandatory, unless a person is exempt.
• Retail businesses are not required to use My Vaccine Passes, but if the business opts to require these, then it is recommended the business sight and/or verify customers' My Vaccine Passes.
• Fines for businesses required to enforce vaccine passes are $12,000 for a company or $15,000 for a court-imposed fine for a company.
