Coffee lovers in a West Otago town will finally be able to get their fix after spending more than a year without a café.
Benger Nui Café opened in Tapanui this morning, ending a year-long coffee drought in the small town.
One of the owners Leandro Massariolo — who already operates a café in Central Otago — joined Breakfast this morning and explained how the opportunity came about.
He said a local builder approached them and said a building was available for the much-needed café.
Since then, the venture has garnered a lot of support from residents.
“[The locals] actually do miss having a hub just to mingle and talk to each other,” Massariolo said.
“And we came here, had a look at the building, and we thought, let’s have a crack at it.”
He said getting everything in order had been “a lot of hard work”, but he was excited to finally open.
“It has been a marathon to get to here, but that’s what we have.”
Alongside the coffee, Benger Nui also serves baked goods and has an “extensive” food menu.
Even before opening this morning, the café had received bookings across the opening week.
“I think we’ve got off on the right foot,” Massariolo said.
When asked if the owners would be able to operate two cafés, Massariolo said, “I think we are ready.
“We have really good staff who work with us, and they think we can do this.
“We will just juggle things as they come along.”
