Ashleigh and Robert Dari will be opening their new cafe, Bula Bure "The Village", next Monday. Photo / Bevan Conley
Ashleigh and Robert Dari will be opening their new cafe, Bula Bure "The Village", next Monday. Photo / Bevan Conley
After operating a food truck in Whanganui's CBD, Ashleigh and Robert Dari are ready to open Bula Bure "The Village".
What was the Country Cafe and Playland on London St has been transformed by new owners Ashleigh and Robert Dari.
The venture into the hospitality industry comes after a successfulfew months of operating their food truck in Majestic Square.
With Ashleigh owning hair salons Glitz and Glam and Robert working at Kaitoke Prison at the time, the couple wanted to do something they loved together.
"Ash asked why don't we just start selling the food I cook at home. We started off the food cart, and wow. We were blown away by the response."
The success of their truck was the realisation of a dream for Dari, who began searching for a place where people could sit down and enjoy each other's company and soul food.
Inspired by the concept created by former owner Michaela Carr, the Daris explored the possibility of purchasing the business.
"What's happening is unreal. I have always loved this place. I love how the old owners created this place, the concept of the playland.
"Now we are making it our own, the village concept."
The cafe is leaning into the Daris' Fijian heritage as the theme, bringing a relaxed, resort-like feeling to Whanganui.
"I'm trying to create the idea and the feeling I have back at home. When I walk, I want to walk in and feel like I'm at home."
Pauliasi Vakayalia, Iliesa Tamaniyaga, Ashleigh and Robert Dari and Josefa Tamaniyaga in the courtyard with their new bar, hand-built by Pauliasi. Photo / Bevan Conley
Dari wants to bring the concept of the "village" to Whanganui, a place where everyone looks out for each other and a place they feel at home.
"We want to create a place where they come in, not as guests, but this as part of them. People like to be valued, no matter what they are going through, food is something we all have in common.
Bula Bure will offering a traditional Kiwi cafe-style menu while leaning into the blended Fijian cuisine for daily specials.
"I will have specials for the day. Things like Fijian lamb curry, chop suey, raw fish and more. But we will also offer staple Kiwi meals. We have to remember that we are in New Zealand.
"The vision of the village has always been there. But to have it here now, I want to share that."
